explore and learn more about this beautiful country
Everyday Japanese Ettiquette
Here you can learn some handy everyday Japanese etiquette’s that will help you while in Japan or when you visit a Japanese person’s household. Some of these etiquettes may seem extreme but it is because the Japanese are sensitive people and very conscious about hygiene.
Everyday…
Always take off your shoes when entering a home. When entering a bathhouse or some temples, this rule may apply as well. When in doubt, ASK!
Never be late to appointments. It is very insulting.
There is no such thing as “Ladies First” in Japan.
Avoid excessive physical and eye contact. The Japanese are very private and conservative.
Japanese often use silence for communication as much as speaking.
Do not chew gum when in formal situations.
White-collar workers will typically leave work only after their superiors have left. Do not expect someone to be off of work according to the time clock.
Exchanging business cards is used as a form of introduction. Hand your card to the other person with both hands, right side up to them (upside down to you). When accepting a business card, use both hands as well. Be sure to look at the card and not just pocket it. Never put it in your pants pocket and sit on it in front of them.
It is polite to put “-san” after another person’s name or “-chan” after a young girls name,. “-kun” should be used after a boy’s name. Don’t use these after your own name.
Avoid shouting loudly at someone to get their attention. Always wave or go directly up to them.
If you have to blow your nose, leave the room, or at the very least try to face away
Always check your socks for holes and cleanliness when you know you are visiting someone’s home since you will be taking off your shoes.
On escalators, stay to the left side if you plan to just stand there. Keep the right side open for those who wish to pass you.
The Japanese gesture of “Who, me?” is pointing at your nose, not your chest.
The Japanese gesture for “Come here” is to put your hand out, palm down, pulling your fingers back and forth toward you. The western gesture of palm-up, is only used to call animals.
The Japanese gesture for “No” is fanning your hand sideways a few times in front of you.
When you enter a bathhouse or home, you may be given house slippers to wear around. Do not wear these outside. Also. do not wear these into the bathroom. There should be a seperate one just for the bathroom. Similarly, remember to switch back to the house slippers when you leave the bathroom.
When entering a room that has tatami floors (straw mat room), do not wear your slippers. Take them off by the door.
It is customary to sit on the floor in a tatami room (washitsu).
It’s easier to wear shoes that slip on when visiting someone.
Japanese light, summer kimono’s or yukata’s should be worn with your left side over the right. The reverse is used for the dead at funerals.
It’s polite to initially refuse someone’s offer of help even if they really need/want it. Traditionally, an offer is made 3 times. It may be better to state that you will carry their bag, call a taxi, etc., instead of pushing them to be polite and refuse.
When Japanese women laugh in public, you may sometimes see them covering their mouths with their hand. This comes from an old Buddhist tradition. It used to be that showing one’s bone was unclean, as well as a lack of orthodontics in Japan. Not all ladies do this presently.
It is always polite to bring a gift (gift-wrapped in formal situations) for example, food/dessert or a drink, when you visit someone.
Gift giving is VERY important in Japan, but avoid pricey gifts. This is because extravagant gifts require an equal or slightly higher extravagant gift in return.
Giving cash is normal for ceremonies like weddings and funerals. Make sure to place the cash in a special, designated envelope for that occasion. As a local what the envelope says. You don’t want to buy a envelope for the wrong occasion. Use new bill, not old.
After coming back from a vacation/trip, it is customary to bring back a small gift for your co-workers. This does not have to be something expensive.
It’s polite to under value your gift or food when you offer it.
In a more formal circumstance, it is impolite to unwrap the gift someone brings you as soon as you receive it. In casual circumstances, it is normal to ask the giver if it can be opened now.
It’s polite to see a guest to the door (or the front of a building) when they leave.
When someone visits, it is polite to turn their shoes around (tip of shoes facing the door) and put them together so they can slip it on easily.
Taxi’s – the driver will open/close the rear left hand door for you. It’s automatic.
Japanese people often compliment each other and when complimented, it is polite to deny the compliment.
In Japan, the whole family uses the same bath water . As a guest, you will probably be given the priviledge of using the bath water first. Do not drain the water after you have finished your bath!
Also do not go into the bath while still soapy. Wash and rinse your body before you get into the bath so you are clean and the likewise, the water stays clean.
from those around you. Also use a tissue, not a handkerchief!
Again old, but in a car the highest ranking person sits behind the driver. The lowest