Sometimes doing stuff by yourself is the best way to go. Heading to the bathroom, for example, is generally something people prefer to do alone. And there are plenty of people out there who prefer to go to out alone; catching a movie or a show by yourself can be great if you hate making small talk, for example. But still, there are some times that doing something alone can be downright embarrassing.
So, to find out what the worst was, the Japanese website goo polled some of their readers to find the top 10 times they’re embarrassed to be seen doing something alone. Check out the ranking and see how many you agree with!
In polling 250 of its female readers, goo has found the top ten things Japanese women don’t want to be seen doing alone. This seems like an oddly specific question at first, but it’s actually a rather interesting one when you think about it. What is a thing you’ve been embarrassed to be seen doing alone? For me, it’s any time I’m taking a photo. Even when I’m sightseeing or just want to grab a quick snapshot of something funny, I feel incredibly self-conscious taking a photo in public if I’m alone.
Obviously, goo’s poll is rather limited in scope, so we would definitely hesitate to say this holds true for all or even most Japanese women. Still, who doesn’t love polls and statistics?
▼ “I spy with my little eye…a total weirdo!”
Ranking of Times When (Some) Japanese Women Feel Uncomfortable Being Seen Doing Something Alone: A Poll with an Unnecessarily Long Title
1. When singing karaoke alone and the staff brings a drink into the room — 16 percent
2. When striking a pose while taking a selfie with a selfie stick — 14.7 percent
3. When taking purikura alone — 12.5 percent
4. When alone in the sales area for men’s underwear — 11.2 percent
5. When eating yakiniku alone — 11 percent
6. When staying at a ryokan alone — 5.6 percent
7. When eating alone at a table at a restaurant (besides an izakaya or chain restaurant) — 5.2 percent
8. When eating a large portion at a beef bowl restaurant — 5 percent
9. When drinking at an izakaya alone — 4.8 percent
10. When at a sightseeing spot like a waterfall or a cliff alone — 3.98 percent
Oh, yeah, going to karaoke alone is fine, but when the staff bring in a drink and you’re singing “Sk8er Boi” to yourself, the awkwardness is definitely at level maximum. And you can tell them your friend is just in the bathroom, and they’ll nod and smile, but you’ll both know it’s a lie. You’ll both know. On the other hand, we’re not sure what’s so wrong with going to sightseeing spots alone, but we can see how it might be a bit lonely.
So how many of these rung true for you? Share your “totes awks” stories below and we can all commiserate together. Don’t worry; we won’t judge!
Sources: goo Ranking, Yahoo! News Japan
Images: Wikipedia/che