At first, I thought it was because I didn’t speak a word of Japanese.
There was something silent about being in a country that spoke a foreign language you do not understand.
But then I realised it wasn’t just my own experience. Others thought that Tokyo was quiet for the density of the city as well.
It is amazing. Indeed.
It was impolite to take calls in cafes.
And I realised that when Japanese people spoke to each other in the city they did not speak out aloud; they leaned in and speak. They were intentional and speaking to one another, not talking out loud randomly.
It was interesting and I sure think we all can learn a little from that.
Coming back from Japan, I found Singapore pretty noisy. The traffic, the ventilators, the impatient people using their voice to rush others – with their orders, with their pace, with their movements.
I wished we didn’t have to use our voices that much.