People don’t talk to strangers on the street here, nor on the train, nor in a restaurant.
I think I belong in Japan. 😄 People here strike up conversations anywhere. I dread going to the grocery store because it's basically a gab-fest with the cashier. Having said that, this changes by province and city. Vancouver, where I live, is very reserved. Unlike Alberta and other provinces where people approach and talk to you for no reason other than to talk. It creates a strong sense of community, I think. It is interesting how Japan is such a homogenous culture, and yet they prefer not to interact with each other. I thought it would be different. Fascinating article.