Japanese etiquette is a set of rules that establish social rank, education, and family background. It is based on a well-documented set of behaviors for different places and environments. Personal feelings are separated from public behavior, and it is considered polite to hide one’s real feelings. Etiquette guidelines can be broken down into basic situations, and the best advice is to be careful and observe. When meeting new people, people usually bow, and in a less formal setting, people often nod their heads. When eating, it’s polite to hold chopsticks properly and not wave or touch anyone with them. Visitors should bring a small, inexpensive food item as a gift for the host when visiting a Japanese home.
Japanese etiquette is a set of rules and guidelines for socially acceptable behavior. Each culture has specific etiquette rules that help provide a framework for the interaction between people. A clear set of etiquette rules establish social rank, education, and family background. Japanese etiquette is fairly easy to learn, as it is based on a well-understood and well-documented set of behaviors for different places and environments.
In Japanese culture, there is a clear separation between personal feelings and public behavior. It is considered polite, not self-righteous, to hide one’s real feelings and show the appropriate response for the comfort of others. Not doing it is a sign of low social class, social and business position.
The Japanese etiquette guidelines can be broken down into the basic situations of modern life: meeting new people, eating, and visiting each other’s homes. While there are specific etiquette tips for each area, the best general advice is to be careful. Stay lightly in a new situation and observe how your host behaves. When in doubt, make a genuine effort to focus on the person they are talking to or working with you. Pay close attention to their responses and apologize quickly for any mistakes and many social mistakes will be forgiven.
When meeting new people, Japanese etiquette is to stick your hands out of your pockets. In a formal meeting, people usually bow. The person being introduced begins the bow. If you are the lowest ranking person, your arc is lower. This is easy to determine in a corporate setting, but not so simple in a social setting. When in doubt, bow at the same level as the other person, but lower your head slightly.
In a less formal setting, people often nod their heads after the introduction instead of bowing. Respond to the nod and smile. If you’re in a corporate setting, present your business card with two hands, placing the text card away from you. When you receive a card, take it with both hands and read it carefully. Keep the card on the table in front of you and do not put it in your pocket.
When eating, it’s polite to hold your chopsticks pointing down or parallel to the table. Do not wave, point or touch anyone with the chopsticks. When serving from a communal plate, use the serving spoon or chopsticks provided. Never stick chopsticks into food and always ask for a knife and fork if you are having trouble. It’s better to acknowledge your lack of skill with wands than to force others to watch you wrestle.
Japanese etiquette rules recommend that visitors bring a gift for the host when visiting a Japanese home. It should be a small, inexpensive food item, but it was presented to your guest upon arrival. Take off your shoes and put on your house slippers, which will be waiting for you in the hall or foyer as soon as you arrive.
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