Etiquette
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It
is often said that social interaction in Japan is more complex
than that of other cultures in the West; as a foreign person
however, one is not expected to be aware of all the rules and
will be forgiven for social 'faux pas' that a Japanese person
would undoubtedly be frowned upon for.
That said, to the Japanese social conduct is a very important
aspect of one's life and following their example (which many
foreigners fail to do) would be seen as both friendly and respectful.
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Shoes
- While most public buildings will allow visitors to walk
in with their outdoor shoes on, it is inconceivable for one
to do the same when entering someones house. There will usually
be a landing just inside the front door where one can take off
one's shoes and put on a pair of slippers.
It is also customary to take off shoes in all schools and some
restaurants. |
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Bowing
- From shop assistants to business associates, this is the traditional
manner of greeting in Japan; The deeper the bow, the higher
the status of the other party.
Bowing can also be a gesture used when saying 'Thank you' for
something or apologising.
The average foreigner however, does not usually have to bow
to offer a greeting, a simple handshake should suffice. |
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| Nose
blowing - Unlike in the UK where blowing one's nose, while
not pretty, is considered a necessary evil, doing the same in
Japan would be considered very rude. One is expected to sniff
until the appropriate time when they can blow in private. |
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At
the table - It is customary before starting a meal in Japan
to say the word 'Itadakimasu' meaning 'I receive gratefully'
and at the end to say 'Gochisousama (deshita)' meaning 'Thank
you for the meal'.
Due to their symbolic role in Buddhist funerals, one must be
especially careful when using chopsticks during a meal; it is
an absolute taboo to pass food to someone from one set of chopsticks
to another, as that is how the dead's ashes are passed on in
the Buddhist ceremony.
It is also bad manners to stick chopsticks vertically into food,
especially into rice.
With alcoholic beverages, it is customary for people to top
up each others drinks. In many cases one will not even have
finished their drink and it will be topped up.
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Giving
and receiving gifts - When giving and receiving gifts it
is important to do so with both hands to show respect. While
rejecting a present is not a good idea, protesting a little
before receiving is a useful means of expressing one's humility.
Conversely, if one is offering the present, it shows good character
to downplay what the present is.
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Trains
- One of the ironies of Japanese etiquette is the way this culture
behaves when boarding a train. For reasons unknown, the sense
of cooperation and teamwork that permeates this nation seems
to vanish and the level of pushing and shoving that occurs would
in all likelihood end in a scuffle if it were in the West.
The hypocrisy is clear but should be taken with a grain of salt
as this culture is quaintly full of such contradictions. |
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