I thought I was a respectful traveler until I visited Japan. I felt like a rude child and wished I'd known better before I left.

• I wish I'd known more proper etiquette and unspoken rules in Japan before I visited.

• During my trip, I got stern looks for drinking water on a train and speaking loudly at a restaurant.

• In Japan, it's usually rude to eat while walking in public and polite to eat quietly or in silence.

Japan is widely considered to be a polite, rule-following country, but knowing its reputation didn't fully prepare me for my recent trip.

As a frequent traveler, I consider myself quite culturally aware when entering a new country. I know to cover my shoulders when entering Vatican City or to give up my bus seat for elders in Taiwan.

But when I recently traveled from the US to Tokyo with friends, I found I wasn't as prepared for Japan as I'd thought.

Though I tried to be mindful of cultural differences and local etiquette, I kept messing up. I received a few stern looks and some gentle reprimanding that made me feel like a kid who wasn't sure how to behave.

Through trial and error, I learned rules I wish I'd known before I left — and things travelers should keep in mind if they visit Japan.

Train etiquette is different than what I'm used to in Chicago, but some rules are the same

Upon entering my first Japanese subway, I learned several rules about commuting and just how widely they're followed. For starters, drinking and eating on a train are highly frowned upon.

As a frequent commuter back home in Chicago, I'm used to taking sips of water or eating quick snacks on the train. It's technically not allowed, but passengers do it so often and casually that it feels like it is.

But when I took a sip from my water bottle on a train in Tokyo, I got a few looks and immediately sensed I was doing something wrong.

In Japan, it's considered rude to eat or drink in public while walking or standing. Again, this is different than my home city, where it's common to see people having a coffee or snack on the go.

But these rules in Japan are, in part, meant to stop people from creating spills and messes or inconveniencing others with an unwanted smell.

My mealtimes looked different here than they did back home

Food was the main event during my trip, but I quickly found dining experiences different than what I was used to.

At one point, I was reprimanded by a stranger for talking — perhaps too loudly — while eating at a restaurant. I was surprised because meals in the US are primarily used as a social gathering and time for conversation.

I now know that diners in Japan generally focus on consuming their food during mealtimes, sometimes in silence or while occasionally speaking quietly.

While silence at the dinner table may be seen as awkward in the US, it's considered perfectly polite in Japan.

Japanese movie-theater etiquette inspired me

I learned another unspoken rule while seeing a movie at a theater. After the film, everyone around me stayed seated until the end of the credits.

This is somewhat common in Japan — it's a way to pay your respect to all the people who worked on the movie.

I thought it was wonderful. In the US, we're often in such a rush that we forget to appreciate those who've worked hard for us to experience the things we enjoy.

I also had to get used to removing my shoes

During my trip, I also got used to taking off my shoes upon entering shared spaces, including my hotel.

In many US homes, taking our shoes off can help keep a house clean or signify we're comfortable in an environment. In Japanese culture, removing one's shoes isn't all about comfort — it's about cleanliness and respect.

My trip reminded me how important it is to be a respectful traveler

Though I experienced quite a learning curve at times, I felt more self-aware by the end of the trip and had a fabulous time.

Etiquette and what's considered polite vary around the world, so it's important to research how best to be respectful in whichever place you're visiting.

Next time I visit Japan, I'll be sure to finish my 7-Eleven onigiri before stepping onto the subway and stay until the end of the movie credits.

Read the original article on Business Insider