Tips on Proper Japanese Etiquette
November 6th, 2006 by Solomon
Proper etiquette in Japan is dramatically different from what is considered to be etiquette around the rest of the world. If you are planning to visit Japan in the near future, either for business or leisure, below are a few reminders and tips to make you more familiar with Japanese etiquette so that you don’t make a fool of yourself.
1. Inside the house – When entering into someone’s house, it is customary to take off your shoes and change into slippers. These slippers will most likely be provided by the host. Upon entering a room with a tatami floor, be sure to take off your slippers.
2. Table manners – Blowing your nose, leaving food on your plate, and talking about disappetizing topics are considered bad etiquette. Most importantly, unlike other cultures in East Asia, it is considered extremely rude to burp at the table.
3. Eating at a restaurant – Do not leave a tip! When leaving, simply say to your server, “gochisosama deshita” (”thank you for the meal”). In most restaurants, it is common to take the receipt to the cashier and pay at the front.
4. Bowing – If the greeting takes place on a tatami floor, than it is customary to get on your knees in order to bow. If the opposite person is a higher status than yourself, you are supposed to bow deeper or longer than him or her.
5. Bad Luck – There are many things that Japanese people don’t do because they are thought to bring bad luck
- The number four (pronounced the same as the word for death “shi”)
- Sticking your chopsticks into the rice (this act is normally done only at funerals)
- Sleeping towards the North
- Lying down after eating
6. Business-meeting manners – At a meeting, don’t sit until you are told where you are sitting. Seating arrangements are usually done in order of importance. Also remember that business cards are exchanged at the beginning of meetings rather than at the end.
Although it may appear that Japanese culture is dramatically different from what you know, there is no need to worry. Your hosts know that you are visiting from a foreign country and will understand. If you forget one of the tips from above and slip up, it is most likely that they will just let it go. I hope the aforementioned tips will help bring guidance to you on your next trip to Japan. Be safe and good luck!
“This above all: to thine own self be true,
And it must follow, as the night the day,
Thou canst not then be false to any man.”
What about… No. I will behave the way I always behave. The japanese may demonstrate their politeness by abiding to the international rules of etiquette. Like not bowing to anyone and being polite, but not being subservant or rude to the wait staff.
While I love that quote from Shakespeare (”to thine own self be true”), I don’t think it applies in intercultural situations since there is no universal idea of “politeness” for all cultures. Avoiding eye contact is rude in America while it is very polite in Japan, for instance. Leaning on the “foreigner” card to explain a cultural misunderstanding can be perceived as ignorance or disinterest in the host culture. Worst of all, visitors are often judged as ambassadors of their country, so the impression you leave will probably affect others from your country as well.
Having lived abroad (in Japan for a year) and taken international-awareness classes, I’d advise this:
If someone’s going to Japan (or any other country) for short-term visiting then it’s ok not to know tons about the country BUT looking up basic etiquette is always a good idea. Don’t worry too much, just show that you’ve made some effort and it will be appreciated. I do think it’s a bad idea to not know ANY country-specific etiquette–that sends the message that the visitor cares only for their personal experience rather than interactions with natives. Foreigners in Japan are stereotyped as loud and gross, and by simply avoiding eating in public (which is considered rude in Japan–something you wouldn’t know by instict and thus worth knowing before you go) and being loud in public places you can help fight those stereotypes and help everyone have a more enjoyable experience.
Longterm visitors should definitely learn about the etiquette since their interactions with natives will be much more frequent and vital for successful (aka less-painful)immersion.