Image for illustrative purposes

“Wearing a yukata in your 20s is cringe.” Man’s comment to woman in Japan puzzles netizens

If you have a favorite outfit, chances are you'll feel good wearing it outside.

However, that happy mood you're in can easily be spoiled by the thoughtless comments of a stranger.

This seems to have been the case with Japanese computer graphics designer midori (@haru_3d). On her Twitter account, midori, who likes to wear kimono and yukata on a regular basis, posted an incident that has sparked some debate online.

One day, while she was riding the train wearing a yukata, a young man mumbled in a voice that she could hear:

"Wearing a yukata in your 20s is cringe."

The malicious words from a complete stranger must have made midori feel bad.

Immediately after that, however, an elderly couple who had been watching the situation nearby started a conversation.

Husband: "It's nice and cool in a yukata. Let's go on a date in yukatas for the first time in a while."

Wife: "That's great! Where do you want to go?"

Image for illustrative purposes

Through their conversation, the elderly couple surely wanted to convey the message to midori, "Don't worry about it, yukata are very nice."

It was a casual but kind gesture, and a wonderful one at that!

People who saw the post made a variety of comments, such as:

  • "Why did he say that? Even if you're in your 20s, you can still wear a yukata. Age has nothing to do with what you like to wear."
  • "What a wonderful couple. I want to grow old like this."
  • "I think that guy is the one who's cringe for saying such a thing."

Children often wear yukata when their parents take them to Japanese festivals. They also often wear yukata when they go to festivals by themselves as teens and young adults. However, among those who move out of their parent's homes and begin working full-time, some may have fewer opportunities to wear yukata. At the same time, there are plenty of adults who enjoy wearing yukata in the warm summer months, as well as people like midori who enjoy kimono and yukata on a regular basis. Just wearing a yukata is not usually considered to be "childish" in and of itself in Japan.

Therefore, this man's opinion was probably more informed by his own particular life experience than any understanding of common sense held by the general public.

midori says that on rare occasions she encounters people who say negative things when she dresses in a kimono or yukata. However, far more numerous are the times when she receives positive comments such as, "You look cute."

Regardless of their age, people who enjoy wearing the clothes they like look great. That holds true whether you live in Japan or anywhere else in the world...

By - grape Japan editorial staff.

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