I read an interesting article today. It touches base on how to properly eat sushi in Japan, how not to handle your chopsticks, tips on business meetings, the art of bowing, how to give a gift, and a few other topics.
Click here to check out the article.
Here are a few that really stood out to me.
- Exchanging Business Cards
It’s very important that yours be crisp, clean, and presentable; you will be handing them out often. A card should be offered with both hands, and received with either your right hand or with both. Look at it long enough to convey that you’re processing the presenter’s name and rank and the importance of his or her title-even if you don’t know what it means. You can show it to your concierge later for a full translation.- The Art of the Bow
There are three types of bows in Japan; you’ll be using the first almost exclusively. Here’s who they’re for”¦
- 115 degrees (a quick dip of the head and shoulders)|
For neighbors and friends.- 230 degrees
For saying good morning to a colleague, thanking a boss for assigning you a task, or entering an important meeting.- 345 degrees (really bending at the waist)
For the president of a company, when showing deep appreciation or sympathy, or upon greeting the emperor. This one is reserved for rare occasions and is considered disturbing or disingenuous when overused- Dress up for a bit
Fashion is fairly Western in Japan, but “you don’t see many-how should I say it-mature men in T-shirts and shorts,” Fautt says. A polo shirt is about as casual as it gets. Women should go easy on the tank tops- Never eat or drink while walking
Although vending machines are ubiquitous, locals buy their soda, drink it by the machine, throw the empty away, and continue on their way. No one eats while walking, and public consumption of alcohol is even worse. “Walking around with a beer makes you look like an idiot,” Fautt says.
I once saw a documentary on Japan, where they showed the JAL stewardesses in training. They were taught the 45 degrees and 90 degrees bow. What constitute a 45 degree bow, I wonder?
#4 “Never eat or drink while walking”
When I was an international student I once walked several blocks from my station to my campus whilst eating a large bento with chopsticks! It was marvelous…hehehe
Oh, I knew what I was doing. Oh, yes, I knew
My school mate who was with me told me later that several salarymen had given me the “stink eye” but it was worth it.
Japanese etiquette is very well defined but greatly misunderstood. When I started with the Japanese firm I work at we had half a day training on business etiquette, meishi kokan (business card exchange) ,　　where to sit and how to stand in an elevator (I am not kidding). The Japanese kids I was training with had no idea, most young people just dont know anymore. Japan is changing.
Many years ago I was living in a small country town in Mie-ken and while riding a full train I would often see young people give thier seat up to older people and even see people offer to hold another persons bag upon thier lap (as putting it on the ground is not kosher). That almost never happens now, particularly here in Tokyo. When my wife was pregnant with our second son I had to lash out at some young university kids who refused to give up the clearly marked seats for pregnant women on a train. They moved quick once a started calling them un-japanese in front of a train full of people (in Japanese of course).
I say learn as much culture as you can, dont be a gaijin who disrespects the culture simply becase you know you can do it and get away with it. Be the gaijin who impresses the old lady on the train when you give up your seat for her in an understanding that she is your elder and deserves your respect.
@lina: I recently saw a documentary about flight attendants in training! Well, I think it was about that. I’m not sure because everything was in Japanese. They were practicing walking, smiling, bowing, handing out items, and everything had to be perfect.
@Tori: Awesome. At least it wasn’t something messy like crepes. I bet the salary man was just jealous.
@Skeg8: Where to sit and how to stand in an elevator? That’s madness! I’m glad you told the punks to move. In Fukuoka I see people give up their seats for older people, etc. It’s definitely best to think like a considerate Japanese person while in Japan.