為何印度人在世界各地隨地大小便,在日本卻很守規矩

2025-09-10

這個問題其實涉及到文化、歷史、社會習慣,以及不同環境對人們行為的約束力。很多時候,我們看到的「隨地大小便、在河裡洗澡、吵鬧」等行為,往往與印度長期以來的社會現實有關,而並不是因為「印度人天生如此」。

在印度,長久以來因為貧窮與基礎建設不足,許多地區缺乏公共廁所或自來水系統,露天如廁在過去數百年裡都被視為「自然」的生活方式。加上恆河等河流被賦予宗教上的神聖意義,人們在河裡洗澡、祈禱,甚至處理身體排泄,都被認為是一種傳統習俗,而非不文明的行為。換句話說,這些行為並非刻意冒犯,而是長期社會結構造成的日常習慣。

至於「隨地唱歌跳舞、大聲喧嘩」,這則與印度的社會文化有關。印度文化本身極為熱情、外放,音樂與舞蹈在生活中無處不在。對他們而言,群體性、聲音的熱鬧是一種情感的表達方式,也是人際關係的一部分。然而,當這些行為帶到其他國家時,就可能與當地文化的「安靜、秩序、顧及他人」的價值觀產生衝突,讓外人覺得吵鬧甚至無禮。

但有趣的是,印度人在日本或其他秩序感極強的國家卻表現得很守法、很克制。這其實反映人類行為的一個普遍規律:人的行為不是固定的,而是會受到制度與環境的影響。在印度,缺乏嚴格的執法與公共規範,許多人即使有「不良習慣」也不會被糾正。但在日本,規則嚴明、社會壓力巨大,人們知道若不遵守會立刻被視為異類甚至受到懲處,所以自然會選擇配合。

當外國人去提醒印度人這些行為不合適時,他們有時會憤怒地反駁,這多半出於兩種心態:一是他們認為這是自己的生活習慣,外人無權干涉;二是對於長期被「貼上不文明標籤」的敏感與自尊反應。這也是文化衝突下常見的心理現象。

總結來說,印度人的這些行為,不能簡單歸咎於「民族性」,而是由於社會環境、宗教傳統、文化習慣以及公共基礎設施等多重因素造成的。而當他們處於像日本這樣制度完善、規範嚴格的社會時,自然會展現出另一面,這說明人類行為其實高度依賴於環境,而非一成不變的「民族特質」。

This issue actually involves culture, history, social customs, and the degree to which different environments regulate people’s behavior. Very often, what we see as “open defecation, bathing in rivers, or making noise” is closely tied to India’s long-standing social realities, rather than being something “inherent” to Indian people.

In India, due to poverty and underdeveloped infrastructure over a long period of time, many areas have lacked public toilets or running water systems. For centuries, open defecation was regarded as a “natural” way of life. In addition, rivers such as the Ganges carry sacred religious meaning, so bathing, praying, and even relieving oneself in the river are considered traditional practices rather than uncivilized acts. In other words, these behaviors are not intended to offend but are daily habits shaped by long-standing social structures.

As for “singing, dancing, and making loud noise in public,” this is related to India’s social culture. Indian culture is inherently very passionate and expressive, with music and dance deeply embedded in daily life. For them, group participation and lively sounds are forms of emotional expression and an integral part of social interaction. However, when these behaviors occur in other countries, they may clash with local values of “quietness, order, and consideration for others,” making outsiders perceive them as noisy or even rude.

Interestingly, Indians in Japan or other countries with strong social order tend to behave in a very law-abiding and restrained manner. This actually reflects a general principle of human behavior: people’s actions are not fixed but are influenced by systems and environments. In India, with weaker law enforcement and looser public norms, many people are not corrected even if they develop “undesirable habits.” But in Japan, where rules are strict and social pressure is intense, people know that non-compliance will immediately mark them as outsiders or even bring punishment, so they naturally choose to conform.

 

When foreigners remind Indians that certain behaviors are inappropriate, they sometimes respond angrily. This usually comes from two mindsets: first, they see these as their own way of life and feel that outsiders have no right to interfere; second, it stems from sensitivity and pride in response to being long labeled as “uncivilized.” This is a common psychological reaction in cultural conflicts.

In conclusion, these behaviors among Indians cannot simply be attributed to “national character” but arise from a combination of social environment, religious traditions, cultural customs, and public infrastructure. And when they are placed in societies like Japan—where systems are well established and rules are strict—they naturally display a very different side. This shows that human behavior is in fact highly dependent on environment rather than being an unchanging “ethnic trait.”