Noblesse oblige

Have you ever heard of Noblesse oblige? The meaning this word is that people who are in higher position in their society should have dignity and character. For example, people of aristocracy are polite and know public manner.


There is a long-time popular sushi restaurant in Tokyo.
Sukiyabashi Jiro is a famous sushi restaurant. It was even introduced in the a 3-star Michelin Guide restaurant as a three star restaurant. It was also famous for the restaurant that President Obama and Prime Minister Abe went together in April, 2014.

I just found a video of Sukiyabashi Jiro.

There is even a movie called Jiro Dreams of Sushi.

Real sushi restaurants, not sushi boats, are basically expensive and decent place. Sukiyabashi Jiro is one of those high class sushi restaurant. I bet poor people cannot afford to visit. Reservations are required to go.


There is a Chinese woman who came to Japan for study abroad and has stayed since 2009.

According to a Hong Kong media, the Chinese female student went a Sukiyabashi Jiro in Roppongi with four other people. Even though they booked the restaurant but were late about 40 minutes. When they arrived at the restaurant, they no word of apologizes about their late.

After having their seats, one of them said, "I cannot eat raw food" and then left the restaurant to go to eat Tonkatsu (fried pork cutlets) at somewhere other place.

At this point, the staff member of the restaurant was already mad at the customer's behavior.

After that, they as customers required sushi to grille and wrap the sushi to go. The staff of the restaurant was in a furious mood and told them, "Sushi is not raw in your country? Didn't you know about it before coming here?"

Yet, the student woman claimed "because the volume is too much." and "I'm not the person who reserved this restaurant." in order to avoid blame.
It became an argument in the restaurant.


After leaving the restaurant, the woman complained about it on Weibo (kina Chinese Twitter). She probably expected Weibo users' supporting opinions.
However, most comments posted were opposing her opinion such as "You guys cannot eat raw food, then how come did you go sushi restaurant? and you guys were late 40 mins!?" So many comments of bashing have been left on her page. Because she might be upset, she deleted her post. Some people already saved her page, and they spread the page and told how rude the woman was. This episode ended up spreading to the mainland of China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan.

Other person commented, "40 mins late is already speechless... If you don't respect, you would not be respected. If the staff of Sukiyabashi Jiro have a predudice or nagetive image toward Chinese people, the causes are such idiots who don't know manner." Another commneted, "Despite staying in Japan for years, they don't even know sushi is raw? In spite of no acceptable of raw food, how come they went to a high-class sushi restaurant. It's disagreeably surprising."


Again, Sukiyabashi Jiro is expensive sushi restaurant. These students would be rich. I want them to know both Noblesse oblige and "When in Rome..."