Can person take a toothpick from a restaurant in Japan?
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up vote
16
down vote
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It kind of strange question but let's give it a try. Several times after paying a bill in a restaurant in Japan, my friend was going to take a toothpick to carry it outside but a waiter said/warned something which we couldn't understand. As I know, it's nothing wrong to use it at the table if you hide your mouth. Is there some unwritten rule for carrying them out?
japan restaurants cultural-awareness
edited Jun 24 at 13:57
Nean Der Thal
64.9k21242344
asked Jun 24 at 13:05
Justas
683416
add a comment |Â
up vote
16
down vote
favorite
It kind of strange question but let's give it a try. Several times after paying a bill in a restaurant in Japan, my friend was going to take a toothpick to carry it outside but a waiter said/warned something which we couldn't understand. As I know, it's nothing wrong to use it at the table if you hide your mouth. Is there some unwritten rule for carrying them out?
japan restaurants cultural-awareness
edited Jun 24 at 13:57
Nean Der Thal
64.9k21242344
asked Jun 24 at 13:05
Justas
683416
1
Maybe the waiter was worried about littering? Anyway, why were you taking the toothpick with you?
– user3169
Jun 25 at 2:48
I would guess so too. It's funny that the question attracted so many upvotes.
– Justas
Jun 25 at 15:43
I am a bit confused as I have never had this experience; I just took them and left and no one said anything. Of course I'd like to hear what the waiter said, but as you do not seem to understand Japanese, this clearly wouldn't work out. Are those just ordinary wooden toothpicks or something special?
– xuq01
Jun 30 at 5:45
add a comment |Â
up vote
16
down vote
favorite
up vote
16
down vote
favorite
It kind of strange question but let's give it a try. Several times after paying a bill in a restaurant in Japan, my friend was going to take a toothpick to carry it outside but a waiter said/warned something which we couldn't understand. As I know, it's nothing wrong to use it at the table if you hide your mouth. Is there some unwritten rule for carrying them out?
japan restaurants cultural-awareness
edited Jun 24 at 13:57
Nean Der Thal
64.9k21242344
asked Jun 24 at 13:05
Justas
683416
It kind of strange question but let's give it a try. Several times after paying a bill in a restaurant in Japan, my friend was going to take a toothpick to carry it outside but a waiter said/warned something which we couldn't understand. As I know, it's nothing wrong to use it at the table if you hide your mouth. Is there some unwritten rule for carrying them out?
japan restaurants cultural-awareness
edited Jun 24 at 13:57
Nean Der Thal
64.9k21242344
asked Jun 24 at 13:05
Justas
683416
edited Jun 24 at 13:57
Nean Der Thal
64.9k21242344
edited Jun 24 at 13:57
Nean Der Thal
64.9k21242344
edited Jun 24 at 13:57
Nean Der Thal
64.9k21242344
64.9k21242344
asked Jun 24 at 13:05
Justas
683416
asked Jun 24 at 13:05
Justas
683416
asked Jun 24 at 13:05
Justas
683416
683416
1
Maybe the waiter was worried about littering? Anyway, why were you taking the toothpick with you?
– user3169
Jun 25 at 2:48
I would guess so too. It's funny that the question attracted so many upvotes.
– Justas
Jun 25 at 15:43
I am a bit confused as I have never had this experience; I just took them and left and no one said anything. Of course I'd like to hear what the waiter said, but as you do not seem to understand Japanese, this clearly wouldn't work out. Are those just ordinary wooden toothpicks or something special?
– xuq01
Jun 30 at 5:45
add a comment |Â
1
Maybe the waiter was worried about littering? Anyway, why were you taking the toothpick with you?
– user3169
Jun 25 at 2:48
I would guess so too. It's funny that the question attracted so many upvotes.
– Justas
Jun 25 at 15:43
I am a bit confused as I have never had this experience; I just took them and left and no one said anything. Of course I'd like to hear what the waiter said, but as you do not seem to understand Japanese, this clearly wouldn't work out. Are those just ordinary wooden toothpicks or something special?
– xuq01
Jun 30 at 5:45
1
1
Maybe the waiter was worried about littering? Anyway, why were you taking the toothpick with you?
– user3169
Jun 25 at 2:48
Maybe the waiter was worried about littering? Anyway, why were you taking the toothpick with you?
– user3169
Jun 25 at 2:48
I would guess so too. It's funny that the question attracted so many upvotes.
– Justas
Jun 25 at 15:43
I would guess so too. It's funny that the question attracted so many upvotes.
– Justas
Jun 25 at 15:43
I am a bit confused as I have never had this experience; I just took them and left and no one said anything. Of course I'd like to hear what the waiter said, but as you do not seem to understand Japanese, this clearly wouldn't work out. Are those just ordinary wooden toothpicks or something special?
– xuq01
Jun 30 at 5:45
I am a bit confused as I have never had this experience; I just took them and left and no one said anything. Of course I'd like to hear what the waiter said, but as you do not seem to understand Japanese, this clearly wouldn't work out. Are those just ordinary wooden toothpicks or something special?
– xuq01
Jun 30 at 5:45
add a comment |Â
1 Answer
1
active
oldest
votes
up vote
9
down vote
accepted
I did a bit of research and as far as I can make out, Japanese etiquette dictates that you do not use toothpicks in public i.e, you find a secluded spot to use toothpicks. However, since that is not practical, people try to cover their mouth with the other hand while using a toothpick (reference). I couldn't find any other reason for why your waiter might have stopped you from taking a toothpick. Your friend might have been picking his teeth in full view of everyone in the restaurant and your waiter probably did not want him to do the same outside the restaurant. A history of toothpicks in Japan can be found in this very well written Quora answer (reference).
answered Jun 29 at 15:11
The Last Word
3927
Wel, picking your teeth in the public is clearly a faux pas in any culture, just like picking your nose in public...
– xuq01
Jun 30 at 5:47
@xuq01 it doesn't seem like an uncommon thing to do in China or Taiwan, where the standards of etiquette is not quite as high as compared to Japan.
– Michael Lai
Jul 1 at 22:48
@MichaelLai I am not sure if this is still true. Nowadays doing so in China/Taiwan would likely raise some eyebrows at least, unless perhaps if you are in a rural region.
– xuq01
Jul 2 at 0:39
@xuq01 Not in America. It wouldn't strike me as rude in the least for someone to pick their teeth while walking down the street. While eating, maybe.
– Azor Ahai
Jul 2 at 22:20
@xuq01 - similarly in the UK it wouldn't even be noticed in most places.
– Rory Alsop
Jul 5 at 14:49
add a comment |Â
1 Answer
1
active
oldest
votes
1 Answer
1
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
up vote
9
down vote
accepted
I did a bit of research and as far as I can make out, Japanese etiquette dictates that you do not use toothpicks in public i.e, you find a secluded spot to use toothpicks. However, since that is not practical, people try to cover their mouth with the other hand while using a toothpick (reference). I couldn't find any other reason for why your waiter might have stopped you from taking a toothpick. Your friend might have been picking his teeth in full view of everyone in the restaurant and your waiter probably did not want him to do the same outside the restaurant. A history of toothpicks in Japan can be found in this very well written Quora answer (reference).
answered Jun 29 at 15:11
The Last Word
3927
Wel, picking your teeth in the public is clearly a faux pas in any culture, just like picking your nose in public...
– xuq01
Jun 30 at 5:47
@xuq01 it doesn't seem like an uncommon thing to do in China or Taiwan, where the standards of etiquette is not quite as high as compared to Japan.
– Michael Lai
Jul 1 at 22:48
@MichaelLai I am not sure if this is still true. Nowadays doing so in China/Taiwan would likely raise some eyebrows at least, unless perhaps if you are in a rural region.
– xuq01
Jul 2 at 0:39
@xuq01 Not in America. It wouldn't strike me as rude in the least for someone to pick their teeth while walking down the street. While eating, maybe.
– Azor Ahai
Jul 2 at 22:20
@xuq01 - similarly in the UK it wouldn't even be noticed in most places.
– Rory Alsop
Jul 5 at 14:49
add a comment |Â
up vote
9
down vote
accepted
I did a bit of research and as far as I can make out, Japanese etiquette dictates that you do not use toothpicks in public i.e, you find a secluded spot to use toothpicks. However, since that is not practical, people try to cover their mouth with the other hand while using a toothpick (reference). I couldn't find any other reason for why your waiter might have stopped you from taking a toothpick. Your friend might have been picking his teeth in full view of everyone in the restaurant and your waiter probably did not want him to do the same outside the restaurant. A history of toothpicks in Japan can be found in this very well written Quora answer (reference).
answered Jun 29 at 15:11
The Last Word
3927
Wel, picking your teeth in the public is clearly a faux pas in any culture, just like picking your nose in public...
– xuq01
Jun 30 at 5:47
@xuq01 it doesn't seem like an uncommon thing to do in China or Taiwan, where the standards of etiquette is not quite as high as compared to Japan.
– Michael Lai
Jul 1 at 22:48
@MichaelLai I am not sure if this is still true. Nowadays doing so in China/Taiwan would likely raise some eyebrows at least, unless perhaps if you are in a rural region.
– xuq01
Jul 2 at 0:39
@xuq01 Not in America. It wouldn't strike me as rude in the least for someone to pick their teeth while walking down the street. While eating, maybe.
– Azor Ahai
Jul 2 at 22:20
@xuq01 - similarly in the UK it wouldn't even be noticed in most places.
– Rory Alsop
Jul 5 at 14:49
add a comment |Â
up vote
9
down vote
accepted
up vote
9
down vote
accepted
I did a bit of research and as far as I can make out, Japanese etiquette dictates that you do not use toothpicks in public i.e, you find a secluded spot to use toothpicks. However, since that is not practical, people try to cover their mouth with the other hand while using a toothpick (reference). I couldn't find any other reason for why your waiter might have stopped you from taking a toothpick. Your friend might have been picking his teeth in full view of everyone in the restaurant and your waiter probably did not want him to do the same outside the restaurant. A history of toothpicks in Japan can be found in this very well written Quora answer (reference).
answered Jun 29 at 15:11
The Last Word
3927
I did a bit of research and as far as I can make out, Japanese etiquette dictates that you do not use toothpicks in public i.e, you find a secluded spot to use toothpicks. However, since that is not practical, people try to cover their mouth with the other hand while using a toothpick (reference). I couldn't find any other reason for why your waiter might have stopped you from taking a toothpick. Your friend might have been picking his teeth in full view of everyone in the restaurant and your waiter probably did not want him to do the same outside the restaurant. A history of toothpicks in Japan can be found in this very well written Quora answer (reference).
answered Jun 29 at 15:11
The Last Word
3927
answered Jun 29 at 15:11
The Last Word
3927
answered Jun 29 at 15:11
The Last Word
3927
answered Jun 29 at 15:11
The Last Word
3927
3927
Wel, picking your teeth in the public is clearly a faux pas in any culture, just like picking your nose in public...
– xuq01
Jun 30 at 5:47
@xuq01 it doesn't seem like an uncommon thing to do in China or Taiwan, where the standards of etiquette is not quite as high as compared to Japan.
– Michael Lai
Jul 1 at 22:48
@MichaelLai I am not sure if this is still true. Nowadays doing so in China/Taiwan would likely raise some eyebrows at least, unless perhaps if you are in a rural region.
– xuq01
Jul 2 at 0:39
@xuq01 Not in America. It wouldn't strike me as rude in the least for someone to pick their teeth while walking down the street. While eating, maybe.
– Azor Ahai
Jul 2 at 22:20
@xuq01 - similarly in the UK it wouldn't even be noticed in most places.
– Rory Alsop
Jul 5 at 14:49
add a comment |Â
Wel, picking your teeth in the public is clearly a faux pas in any culture, just like picking your nose in public...
– xuq01
Jun 30 at 5:47
@xuq01 it doesn't seem like an uncommon thing to do in China or Taiwan, where the standards of etiquette is not quite as high as compared to Japan.
– Michael Lai
Jul 1 at 22:48
@MichaelLai I am not sure if this is still true. Nowadays doing so in China/Taiwan would likely raise some eyebrows at least, unless perhaps if you are in a rural region.
– xuq01
Jul 2 at 0:39
@xuq01 Not in America. It wouldn't strike me as rude in the least for someone to pick their teeth while walking down the street. While eating, maybe.
– Azor Ahai
Jul 2 at 22:20
@xuq01 - similarly in the UK it wouldn't even be noticed in most places.
– Rory Alsop
Jul 5 at 14:49
Wel, picking your teeth in the public is clearly a faux pas in any culture, just like picking your nose in public...
– xuq01
Jun 30 at 5:47
Wel, picking your teeth in the public is clearly a faux pas in any culture, just like picking your nose in public...
– xuq01
Jun 30 at 5:47
@xuq01 it doesn't seem like an uncommon thing to do in China or Taiwan, where the standards of etiquette is not quite as high as compared to Japan.
– Michael Lai
Jul 1 at 22:48
@xuq01 it doesn't seem like an uncommon thing to do in China or Taiwan, where the standards of etiquette is not quite as high as compared to Japan.
– Michael Lai
Jul 1 at 22:48
@MichaelLai I am not sure if this is still true. Nowadays doing so in China/Taiwan would likely raise some eyebrows at least, unless perhaps if you are in a rural region.
– xuq01
Jul 2 at 0:39
@MichaelLai I am not sure if this is still true. Nowadays doing so in China/Taiwan would likely raise some eyebrows at least, unless perhaps if you are in a rural region.
– xuq01
Jul 2 at 0:39
@xuq01 Not in America. It wouldn't strike me as rude in the least for someone to pick their teeth while walking down the street. While eating, maybe.
– Azor Ahai
Jul 2 at 22:20
@xuq01 Not in America. It wouldn't strike me as rude in the least for someone to pick their teeth while walking down the street. While eating, maybe.
– Azor Ahai
Jul 2 at 22:20
@xuq01 - similarly in the UK it wouldn't even be noticed in most places.
– Rory Alsop
Jul 5 at 14:49
@xuq01 - similarly in the UK it wouldn't even be noticed in most places.
– Rory Alsop
Jul 5 at 14:49
add a comment |Â
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1
Maybe the waiter was worried about littering? Anyway, why were you taking the toothpick with you?
– user3169
Jun 25 at 2:48
I would guess so too. It's funny that the question attracted so many upvotes.
– Justas
Jun 25 at 15:43
I am a bit confused as I have never had this experience; I just took them and left and no one said anything. Of course I'd like to hear what the waiter said, but as you do not seem to understand Japanese, this clearly wouldn't work out. Are those just ordinary wooden toothpicks or something special?
– xuq01
Jun 30 at 5:45