Be Polite; Asian Etiquettes

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Japan’s Etiquette

Welcome to Japan!

             “Konnichiwa” hello, and welcome to a page all about Japan’s Etiquette! We hope that when you browse through the site that you will learn and understand cultures, and etiquettes of these Asian countries.  Learning the proper etiquette will help you to understand the culture. So we hope you have fun, and learn while you’re at it. Be Polite!

             Welcome to Japan, located in East Asia and a peninsula of the Sea of Japan. This ancient and thriving culture has a long and enriched culture. Its national language is Japanese, and capital is Tokyo. It has a population of more than 127 million people. Japan is made up of many small islands including: Hokkaido, Honshu, and Kyushu. Japan’s culture is enriched by its ancient history of art, rulers, education and economy.

Eating and Dining

 

1. In Japan if you leave your plate empty it means you want more food. If you’re finished then leave some food on your plate.

2. There is no American way like “help yourself.” Do not eat until the host offers food.

3. There isn’t tipping in Japanese restaurants.

4. Eating and drinking while walking down the street is considered impolite to others.

5. Do not leave a mess when you’re done eating. Put your chopsticks down, fold your napkins and fix your area.

6. Do not pick up food on the same end that you used to eat your with. Try to use the ends of the chopsticks for picking up, and the front (smaller end) to eat with.

7. It is normal to make slurping noises when drinking or eating noodles. It shows that you enjoy the food and keeps it from burning your mouth.

8. When leaving a restaurant or somewhere do not steal or take some napkins or little souvenirs. It is considered very rude.

9. Before you start eating you say “Itadakimasu” and “Gochisosama deshita” when finished. “Kampai” means cheers and is used for drinking.

10. Don’t pour your own drink, if the glass is empty usually the host will pour it.

Body Language

 

1. Japanese people prefer not to stand close to others.

2. Try and avoid touching others.

3. Do not take a smile as being a signal of happiness, the Japanese smile when mad, embarrassed, sad or disappointed.

4. While sitting, don’t show the bottom of your shoes.

5. It is rude to talk to someone when leaving your hands in your pockets.

6. Put your hand in front of your face. Make sure your palm is facing towards your face. Then wave it back and forth, this is a polite way to answer “no” or “I don’t know” to a compliment.

7. It is considered rude to stare at someone. Eye contact isn’t polite.

8. Don’t lean against anything, a chair, a wall, a door, etc…

9. When visiting someone, sit towards the edge to show proper respect and leaning back means closeness (such as a childhood friend).

Gift Giving

 

1. Do not give ANYONE a gift unless you have one for everyone.

2. The idea of gift giving on birthdays and holidays like Christmas and Chanukah isn’t very common yet.

3. To give and to receive a present, you must use two hands and do a formal bow.

4. When returning from a trip it’s customary to bring back souvenirs.

5. The giving of gifts is more important than what the gift actually is.

6. “Oseibo and chugen”- In December and June, friends and family give gifts to each other. Usually worth not more then 5,000 yen, (about $42.32) these gifts are called “Oseibo and chugen”

7. Birthdays-The West has greatly influences the people here, and even though this isn’t a traditional gift-giving occasion, some families have started.

8. When unwrapping a gift, carefully remove the wrapping paper.

9. Be sure that the presentation of the gifts is as important or more important than the actual gift. It is also polite to send a thank you note back.

10. Postcards are not given as a gift, fruits, chocolate, a statue and other small things are proper.

Business

 

1. Do not dress casually. Dressing appropriately is required when meeting for any sort of business.

2. If you are invited out for dinner, you host will pay, but make an attempt even if it’s insincere to try and pay. Your host will refuse, it just seems proper to try and ask anyways.

3. If you are in a work/business meeting, taking notes in very appreciated and use only blue or black pen, NEVER red, because it is bad luck.

4. A “meishi” or business card is proper to give when at a meeting. It should be given with two hands, bowing.

5. Wait for the boss to sit down and then sit; it’s the same when leaving. A higher status person sits closer to the boss.

6. Usually drinks are handed out at the start of the meeting. They will we handed out in order of rank. Wait for the top guy to drink his first.

7. Meetings can be held in offices or sometimes restaurants. They are almost never held at the host/hostesses house.

8. You should probably exchange business cards as the first matter, even before the bow.

9. The Japanese are more concerned with setting peace between each other first. So at the beginning of meetings there might me a few minutes of ‘chit chat’ and catching up on each other.

10. After the end of a contract signing, make sure to thank everyone and give a polite handshake to the dealer.

Everyday Living

 

1. When a guest leaves it is considered proper to walk them to the door.

2. NEVER be late for anything.

3. “Ladies first” is not used in Japan.

4. Blowing your nose in front of someone is rude, leave the room or at least turn around. Use a tissue, not a handkerchief.

5. The Japanese will refuse help from ANYONE even if it is needed. But the third times the charm. Usually you just ask until the third time when they will either accept or politely refuse.

6. It is polite to use the correct suffix for someone else’s name. “-chan” or “-sama” or something like that.

7. Sarcasm is not appropriate for any situation. The Japanese consider it rude and may ruin a relationship.

8. When confused and wanting to ask “Who me?” it is pointing to the nose.

9. Japanese women wear their kimono with the left side over the right. DO NOT wear it the other way, it is only for the deceased person at a funeral.

10. Japanese women cover their mouth when they laugh.

Greeting

 

1. When you first meet someone say “Hajime-mashite” which basically means to begin a new acquaintance.

2. People shake hands while meeting. The handshake is quick, and has no eye contact.

3. Bowing is most common in Japan. People bow as a thanks or an apology.

4. Depending on whoever is a higher status, the other must bow longer and lower.

5. Do NOT ever walk away when someone is greeting you.

6. When it is a formal meeting (boss, business) then a bow is suited, when it is just a normal occasion then they will just nod their head.

7. Tourists and foreigners are not expected to bow, or at least bow correctly, unless they are greeting the emperor.

8. Sometimes people will say “Kondo asobi ni kite kudasai” which means “I would like you to come to my home for a visit soon.” It could even be to people they barely know, this is just polite and they usually don’t mean it, so don’t take it seriously. If you are a close friend, then it should be right for you to come. But if it was just a polite gesture then say thank you and walk away.

This is a very large and famous castle, called Himeji-Castle, that  is about 350 years old.