[Lesson Plan Included] Is "Sniffing Your Nose" a No-No? The Boundary Between "Sounds" of Bodily Functions and "Manners" That Japanese Language Teachers Should Teach

Introduction

"That student is at N1 level and speaks Japanese fluently, yet somehow gives off a 'crude' impression..."

If you've been teaching Japanese for a long time, have you ever felt this frustration? In fact, no matter how high one's language ability is, mismatches in non-verbal "etiquette" can cause negative impressions on Japanese people such as "rude," "scary," or "crude."

At the forefront of this issue is the "attitude toward bodily functions," particularly the handling of nasal discharge.

While textbooks include vocabulary like "blow your nose," they don't detail the sociopragmatic rules of "when, where, how, and how loudly" one should do so. However, this small "sound" carries significant risks that can affect learners' future social evaluations.

This article delves into teaching methods that Japanese language teachers should convey to protect learners' futures, using the example of "sniffing vs. blowing your nose"—actions evaluated 180 degrees differently in Japan and Europe.

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[Comparison Table] Such Different Nose-Handling Manners Between Japan and Europe!

First, let's confirm how much the "standards of manners" we unconsciously hold differ from those of other cultural spheres, particularly English-speaking learners.

Action	Japanese Perception	English-speaking (Western) Perception
Sniffing	Unconsciously tolerated.	Unbearably unpleasant. An action they absolutely want you to stop.
Blowing your nose in public	Considered "unseemly."	Completely acceptable. Rational as a bodily function.
Sound in quiet places	Loud nose-blowing sounds are avoided.	Sniffing sounds (continuous sounds) are most disliked.

The Perception Gap Seen Through Specific Examples

Let's consider two specific scenarios.

Example 1: A Quiet Exam Hall Imagine a learner continuously "sniffing" in a silent venue like the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT).

• Japanese examiner: While somewhat bothersome, they often think "Maybe they have a cold?" and feel it's better than blowing their nose.

• English-speaking learner: If someone next to them does this, they find it so unpleasant that their concentration is completely broken, and in some cases, they even feel angry, thinking "Why don't they blow their nose?!"

Example 2: At a Restaurant Table

• Western learner: Even during meals, they confidently blow their nose to a reasonable degree without feeling it's rude.
• Japanese host: When someone blows their nose with a loud "honk" right in front of them, they feel their appetite diminished, thinking "During a meal..."

In this way, if learners adopt the Japanese habit of "sniffing" as is, there's even a risk of "reverse transfer" that could lower their evaluation when they return to their home country.

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"3-Step Teaching Method" You Can Use in the Classroom Starting Tomorrow

So, how should we teach this "pragmatics of bodily functions"? Here are three steps to avoid cultural imposition.

Step 1: Verbalize the Discomfort of Sounds

First, objectively convey that the common sense of one's own cultural sphere is not universal.

[Example Teacher Prompt]
"Everyone, what do you do when you have a runny nose? Which do you think is cleaner: 'sniffing' or 'blowing'?"

What's important here is to share the fact that in English-speaking countries, "sniffing sounds" are recognized as "unbearably unpleasant" sounds. Rather than simply saying "Do it this way in Japan," provide the perspective of "This is how it sounds in the other culture."

Step 2: Convey the Risk of "Reverse Transfer"

Next, teach the disadvantages that excessive adaptation to Japan can bring. If learners learn that "it's okay to sniff in Japan because no one complains," they may suffer significant losses in job interviews or business situations in their home country.

Example 3: Prompting During Class If a student is sniffing during class, try saying this: "○○-san, you can blow your nose instead of sniffing. In Japan, 'sniffing' is tolerated, but if that habit comes out when you return to your country, you might make people around you uncomfortable (risk of reverse transfer)."

Step 3: Teach the "Escape Route" in Japanese Society

Finally, teach the "smart etiquette" for handling nasal discharge in Japan without being thought of as "unseemly."

Example 4: The Correct Script in Japan "In Japan, blowing your nose loudly in public is not considered very good. If you need to blow your nose, try this:"

1. Say "Excuse me, I'll be right back" as a brief notice.
2. Leave your seat and blow your nose in the restroom or hallway.
3. If you absolutely must blow your nose on the spot, hunch your back and do so quietly and modestly.

When showing respect, Japanese people are conscious of bodily "lowness." Even when blowing your nose, the performance of slightly lowering your body and being modest functions as "discretion" toward those around you.

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Practical Application: Behavior in Business Situations

For intermediate and advanced learners, teach more sophisticated responses in business situations. In business settings, not just blowing your nose, but the "consideration" before and after leads to gaining trust.

Behavior During Business Meetings

Example 5: Script During Business Negotiations

Learner: "Excuse me. My nose is bothering me a bit, so may I step out for a moment?"

In this way, adding a reason and asking "permission to leave your seat" is the smartest approach.

Demonstrating Physical "Modesty"

If leaving your seat is not possible, teach the following actions:

• Under the desk, making as little sound as possible.
• After giving a light bow saying "Excuse me."

In Japanese public spaces (trains, elevators, etc.), "silence" is strongly demanded. It's important to make learners understand that nose-handling manners exist as an extension of this "consideration for others."

Scene	Recommended Action	Action to Avoid
Business meetings	Leave your seat, or give notice before doing so.	Blowing your nose loudly without notice.
Train/Bus	Cover with a handkerchief to muffle the sound.	Continuously sniffing endlessly.
During meals	Stand up and go to the restroom.	Blowing your nose over the food.

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Summary and Next Steps

Acquiring non-verbal skills is not merely memorizing manners. It is the very process of building "wa" (harmony) through language. When learners understand the underlying philosophy such as "tolerance for sniffing sounds" and "repairing relationships through apology," true communication of "fitting in among Japanese people" is achieved for the first time.

What You Can Do Starting Today

1. Keep a tissue box in the classroom Rather than sending the implicit message "it's okay to sniff," create an environment where "you can freely blow your nose when you need to."

2. Become sensitive to sounds When a student starts sniffing, consciously create opportunities to think "How would this be in Japan?"

3. Share cross-cultural discomfort By sharing real experiences like "I was surprised when my American friend told me 'I can't stand sniffing sounds,'" you can capture students' interest.

Teaching manners may sometimes feel like "imposing." However, it is a precious gift from Japanese language teachers to ensure learners don't "lose out" in society.