Bowing
In Japan, people greet by bowing to one another. A bow can range from a small nod of the head toa deep bend at the waist. A deeper, longer bow indicates sincere respect while a small nod is morecasual and informal. Additionally, bowing with your palms together at chest level is not customaryin Japan. If the greeting takes place on tatami floor (a type of mat), people get on their knees to bow.Bowing is not only used to greet, but also to thank, apologize, make a request, or ask someone afavor. Most Japanese do not expect foreigners to know the proper bowing etiquette. A combinationof a bow and shaking hands is usually expected from foreigners.
Gift-giving
Gift giving is a conventional part of Japanese culture. Different types of gifts are given on dependingon the occasion. How the present is wrapped is essential. If not nicely packed, the present shouldat least given in a bag, preferably in a bag by the shop the gift was purchased at. Gifts in sets of fourare usually avoided because it is considered an unlucky number in Japanese superstition. To clarify,the Japanese word for “four” is pronounced the same as the word "death”. When handing over apresent, both the gift giver and recipient use both hands.
Table Manners
The most important table etiquette in Japan is saying customary phrases before and after a meal.It is traditional for Japanese people to say "itadaki-masu" (meaning “I humbly receive” or “let’s eat”)before a meal and "gochisou-sama" after a meal.
These phrases not only mean thanks for the food, but also indicate the beginning and the endingof a meal. If you are eating with Japanese people, try to say these phrases as it is impolite if youdon’t.
One of the fundamental chopsticks etiquettes is not to directly pass food from your chopsticks tosomebody else's chopsticks or vice versa. It's also important not to vertically stick chopstick intofood, especially into a bowl of rice. Additionally, it is not polite to wave your chopsticks above fooddishes or to use your chopsticks to point at somebody. Two people should never pick up the samefood with their chopsticks (i.e. if someone is struggling to pick something up you can't help them).This reminds the Japanese of a funeral ritual in Japan, it’s utterly morbid.
It is mannerly to lift small bowls of rice or soup when you eat to prevent dropping food. If you donot receive a soup spoon, it is acceptable to sip soup out of the bowl and eat the solid food withchopsticks.
It is usual in Japan to make some slurping noises while eating noodles, such as ramen and soba. Itis believed to taste better when making slurping noises.
Shoes
Shoes are never worn in someone's home or on Japanese tatami flooring (mats). It is expected totake off your shoes in a restaurant, hotel, hot spring resort etc. There will always be a place to putyour shoes. In addition, you will be given slippers to wear. There are often different slippers for thebathroom. You should never wear the normal slippers into the bathroom (if bathroom slippers areprovided) and vice versa.
Miscellaneous Tips
The Japanese don't have loud public conversations on their mobile phones. People never speak onthe phone in the train or in a shop. Most people refrain from speaking on the phone in the train orin a shop, and keep their phone on vibrate.
When going out for drinks, it's considered rude to drink before cheers (kampai!).
Since Japan isn't an English speaking country, speak slowly and be patient when speaking English.It is recommended to learning a few basic words of Japanese.
It is strictly stand left pass right on Tokyo escalators. Due to the Japanese tradition of having twoopposite standards for everything, Osaka is stand right pass left.
Names
How do you use "-san," "-kun" and "-chan" for Japanese people’s names?
The suffix "-san " is a title of respect added to a name. It can be used with both male and femalenames, as well as with either surnames or given names. It can also be attached to the name of titlesand occupations.
"-kun" is used to address men who are younger or the same age as the speaker. Usually in schoolsor companies, a male might address female inferiors by "-kun”. It can also be attached to bothsurnames and given names. It is less polite than "-san" and isn’t used between women or whenaddressing one's superiors.
"-chan" is often attached to children's names when calling them by their given names. It can also beused regarding kinship terms in a childish language.
