9/11 memorial issues alert after Japanese leaves salt

Dont one throw salt over your left shoulder to ward of bad luck and evel

Intentions were good, but you really have to think about what you are doing before you do it, especially if in another country and culture, and especially around sensitive and/or dangerous areas. And if anyone stops and says this is paranoia, keep in mind that 1) the alert was quickly lifted and no one detained, and 2) look at the media focus some curry powder got here the other day (admittedly that may not have been innocent).

This Japanese tourist is an idiot. People don't do this to commemorate a memorial

or place of death(s) even in Japan. Salt is used to cleanse (kiyomeru) anything evil.

Exactly what he had in mind, "OssanAmerica", exactly what he had in mind...

In Japan you see small piles of salt outside restaurants to lure customers in.

It comes from a certain mistress who would put it outside her parlor so the oxon carrying the local Shoguns would stop to eat the salt. This way she always have a constant flow of high class clientele.

Stupid is as stupid does. These kind of foolish acts happen with all nationalities. Just as with other nationalities, this Japanese tourist could be taught his own Japanese culture by non Japanese people. He could be taught the true meaning of the salt as the poster said above. When Japanese act poorly or stupidly in public and blight our lives on a daily basis, I (a caucasian woman) often tell them in clear (and polite) Japanese that in Japan this is how we behave or we do it like this. If possible, I make sure other Japanese hear loud and clear so their incorrect behavior, rudeness, selfish acts etc are rewarded with the ultimate humiliation: a foreigner telling them how to act correctly in their own country. I cannot state clearly enough how effective this eductaion is. I got the idea at Tokyo station a few years ago when a foreigner in perfect Japanese scolded a Japanese couple for not controlling their children while about a hundred of their countrymen looked on. It's probably much easier being a woman as most people, especially men cannot fight back. Anyways, if your Nihongo is up to it I recommended giving it a go. Humiliation is the most effective way to show folks the error of their ways.