Is It Okay to Blow Your Nose in Front of Others in Japan? Etiquette for Sniffling, Blowing, and Saying "Chotto Shitsurei Shimasu"

When your nose runs in front of other people, some people mind if you sniffle, and some mind if you blow your nose loudly. There is no standard that says which one is correct. Choose the method that puts the least burden on the people around you, depending on the person and the situation, and add a short phrase if you need to.

The phrases for stepping away and for blowing your nose on the spot can also be used in situations other than blowing your nose.

The Teacher Who Kept Sniffling During Class

*This scene is a fictional example based on situations that are common among learners.

One spring afternoon, Ms. Kobayashi was teaching a beginner class. She had hay fever, and her nose wouldn't stop running.

She didn't want to interrupt the lesson. She also thought that blowing her nose loudly would be rude. So she kept teaching, sniffling quietly every few minutes.

Johan's pen kept stopping partway through the class. At times, he was frowning.

After class, Johan brought her a pocket pack of tissues.

"Teacher, here, please. It's okay to blow your nose."

"Thank you. Did it bother you, by any chance?"

"A little... It was hard to concentrate on the lesson."

Ms. Kobayashi realized that what she had meant as consideration had been a burden on the people listening.

Some People Mind the Sound of Sniffling, and Others Mind the Sound of Blowing

Ms. Kobayashi chose to sniffle because she was worried about the sound of blowing her nose. Some people think the same way. Conversely, there are people who find the sound of sniffling more bothersome.

Which sound bothers someone differs from person to person. Published explanations don't agree with each other either. An article from the Swiss media outlet blue News says that in Europe, especially in the northern part, there are countries where blowing your nose in front of others is frowned upon, and people are expected to do it somewhere out of sight, such as a restroom [1]. On the other hand, an article written in 2010 by a travel guide for All About, in the course of introducing dining etiquette, says that sniffling is not well received overseas, that many people have no problem with blowing their nose, and that in places like the United Kingdom, it is common to see people blow their nose into a handkerchief [2].

Neither is the result of a survey; both reflect the writers' own observations and views. It seems best to take this to mean that there are explanations saying blowing is the one that bothers people, and explanations saying sniffling is.

That is why you can't assume "this person will feel this way" based on someone's country or background. How the person in front of you actually feels depends on the situation and the individual.

Three Ways to Choose

Sniffling over and over, as Ms. Kobayashi did, means the listeners have to hear the same sound repeatedly, which tends to be a heavy burden. Here, we'll think about three options, using the burden on the people around you as the standard.

• Best avoided: Making the same sound over and over. Blowing your nose all at once with a loud noise and no warning.
• Few problems: Saying a quick word of apology and blowing your nose on the spot. Covering your nose with a tissue, turning your face slightly to the side, and keeping the sound down.
• Least burden on those around you: Stepping away and blowing your nose in a restroom or hallway.

There are also situations where you can't step away, and casual situations where you don't need to. These are not rules, just guidelines for choosing.

What to Say When You Step Away

If you can leave the room, tell the others briefly and then stand up.

Chotto shitsurei shimasu (Excuse me for a moment)

This works in a wide range of situations, such as a meal with friends or coworkers, or in the middle of a meeting. If you want to add a reason, you can say it like this.

• "Sumimasen, kafunshō de. Chotto shitsurei shimasu." (Sorry, it's my hay fever. Excuse me for a moment.)
• "Sumimasen, chotto shitsurei shimasu. Sugu modorimasu." (Sorry, excuse me for a moment. I'll be right back.)

In formal situations, such as a business meeting with a client, there is a way to add a reason and ask for permission.

• "Sukoshi hana no chōshi ga warui node, seki o hazushite mo yoroshii deshō ka." (My nose is bothering me a bit, so may I step away for a moment?)

"Yoroshii deshō ka" is polite, but it sounds a little stiff. In a meeting with people from your own workplace, "Chotto shitsurei shimasu" is often enough.

"Shitsurei shimasu" is also used as a greeting when leaving a room. When you stand up from your seat, adding "chotto" gives the sense that you'll be right back.

What to Say When You Blow Your Nose on the Spot

When you can't step away, or it's not worth stepping away, you blow your nose where you are. Even then, saying something first, rather than starting without a word, lets the people around you avoid feeling caught off guard.

• Give a slight nod and say "Sumimasen, shitsurei shimasu" (Sorry, excuse me), then blow your nose.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or handkerchief, and turn your face slightly to the side.
• Don't blow too hard, and put the used tissue away right away.

You don't need to eliminate the sound completely. Finishing by blowing your nose is often less of a burden on others than sniffling over and over.

What to Do in Different Situations

You can think about what to do in each situation as follows.

On trains and buses, there is no specific person to speak to. It is more natural to be discreet through your actions than to say a phrase.

If You're Teaching This to Learners in a Classroom

There are also ways for teachers to apply this.

Put a box of tissues in the classroom, and say this at the start of the lesson.

"If your nose is running, you don't have to hold back. Please use a tissue."

If there are situations where learners need to leave their seats, you can practice "Chotto shitsurei shimasu" together with the action. Say the phrase before standing up. When you come back, give a slight nod.

References

1. Britta Gfeller, "Pulling Up or Blowing Your Nose – Everything You Need to Know About Blowing Your Nose," blue News (bluewin.ch), 2026. https://www.bluewin.ch/en/lifestyle/pulling-up-or-blowing-your-nose-everything-you-need-to-know-about-blowing-your-nose-li.3618688
2. Emiko Furuya, "世界の食文化・マナー" (Food Culture and Manners Around the World), All About, 2010. https://allabout.co.jp/gm/gc/22201/