The Nail that Sticks Up

In the US, there is a saying: "The squeaky wheel gets the oil." The idea is, if you don't speak up, your problems won't be addressed. This saying epitomizes an individualistic society like the US, which values assertive, go-get-em personalities. Our cultural cues teach us to speak up.

The Japanese have an equivalent saying. It says: "The nail that sticks up will get hit." Japanese society is communally oriented - the group takes higher priority than the individual. The idea is that if you make yourself noticed, if you don't conform, you will be punished for it. One weekend, on our way to Kamakura, my parents and I found a great example of the pressure to conform at work.

"I was unaware of those piercing eyes looking at my backpack."

Note that the sign doesn't say "Please take your backpack off when the train is crowded." The motivator isn't that it is rude to wear a backpack, which might impose on other's space. The motivator is that people NOTICE when you wear a backpack (who cares what the consequences are of you wearing it). You certainly wouldn't want people to NOTICE you. Don't be a nail that sticks up!