Destination Japan
Etiquette
Etiquette is hugely important and governs the expectations of social behaviour in the country. Like many social cultures, etiquette varies greatly depending on the person’s status.
Bowing
Bowing is a very important custom in the Japanese culture. It can express many meanings, including respect, gratitude, apology, greeting, etc. Don't assume you can learn how to do it right. A simple inclination of the head is enough for foreigners. This form of etiquette is very complex. The depth of a bow can depend on the social status or age of the person the individual bows to.
Honorifics
The Japanese language uses a broad array of honorifics to address people. These honorifics are usually gender-neutral, though some are used for both genders. –Kun is primarily used for males, whereas –chan is primarily used for women and can be attached to both first names as well as surnames.
Public behaviour
Japanese people do not show affection in public – kissing and hugging in the street are not usual scenes in the Japanese public sphere. Even patting on the back is not considered polite. Japanese people are in general very reserved and showing extreme emotion is out of place. Saying “no” can be an uncomfortable experience because Japanese people instinctively try to please.
Business etiquette
The business world of Japan, like most other aspects of life, is influenced by the culture of Japan. When invited to a Japanese house, it is a tradition to bring a small present. If on a business trip, it is good practice to bring corporate gifts unique to your home country. Drinking is an important part of Japanese culture and is seen as a way to reduce pressure.
Do’s and Don’ts
For the majority of non-Japanese people, there are more opportunities for making etiquette mistakes than getting it right, but the Japanese people are renowned for being generous and forgiving to foreigners who don’t know the rules. As with any unfamiliar culture it is best not to worry too much about getting it wrong, but the following list gives a guideline to behaviour that should be avoided at all costs.
A step too far:
Entering someone’s home wearing outside footwear is a definite no-no. As you cross over into the entranceway of someone’s apartment, be sure to remove your footwear. There will most likely be a pair of slippers set aside for guests, so it is imperative to use these. Raised floors help indicate when to take off shoes or slippers. At the entrance to a home, the floor will usually be raised indicating that you should take off your shoes and put on the slippers. If the house has a tatami mat room, the floor may be raised slightly, indicating that you should remove your slippers.
Currying favour:
Never leave your chopsticks sticking up out of a bowl of rice, or other dish. This gesture is associated with Buddhist funerals in Japan, as this is how rice is offered to the dead. When you are not using the chopsticks, place them neatly on the table, on the small chopstick rests provided.
A grave error:
Similar to the last advice, never pass food from your chopsticks to someone else’s chopsticks. The only acceptable time to pass something between two people using chopsticks is at a funeral. After a cremation, the remaining bones of the deceased are picked up by a relative with special chopsticks and passed to chopsticks held by another relative who then places the bones into the urn. Therefore avoid this most potential faux pax at all times.
Don’t mark your card:
As in most Asian countries, the giving of business cards is a hugely symbolic gesture in Japan. Therefore, always give the card the respect it deserves. It is protocol to receive the card with both hands and show an interest in the details. Do not write on it or stuff it into your back pocket. The correct and polite procedure is to place the card carefully into your wallet, or card holder.
Smell of roses before bathing:
The use of public baths forms an integral part of daily life in Japan. The communal bath is for soaking and you should be clean yourself before you join fellow bathers in the communal water. A small stool with brushes and cleaning materials is provided for this use before entering the pool.
Four reasons to avoid offence:
In the Japanese language, the sound of the word “four” is the same as that for “death”, therefore, four is regarded as an unlucky number and it is considered inappropriate to give four items as a gift.
A slippery mistake
Many people provide slippers in their home at the entrance to the bathroom. It is customary to slip out of the room slippers into the toilet slippers and after using the bathroom back into the room slippers.
