I did what most Japanese people do, but since i did it as a foreigner, it’s frowned upon

I nearly got into the train and got stuck between the closing doors that forced them open.
Since I am not so strong enough (normal sized woman). It took time to open before i could finally get in and i am sure it damaged my back.

The people standing on the doorway blocked it, despite the train being relatively empty. If they made space i could have easily got in, but they still looked at me with anger.

I always take the same trains, there is a 2 minute difference for changing platforms but today so many old people with their bags blocked the path and they were so slow. If you slightly touched their bag in a hurry, they would look at you as if you committed a crime.

Yesterday an old man stopped the train doors voluntarily with his hands so a young woman who was with him, who couldn’t get down to her station because she was chatting so much in the train, could get down. And surprisingly no one frowned upon them.

Has anyone else been in this situation?
I feel so embarrassed 🥺

Posted Jun 3, 2026, 11:34 PM UTC

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