Etiquette Secrets: how to behave in Japan

Etiquette should be observed even in friendship. Japanese proverb

Japan - a country of high technology, sushi, Sakura and Mount Fuji. Its culture - is complex and mysterious. Foreigners do not understand why Japanese people allow themselves to loud smack one's lips at the table, do not open the door to women and do not pass them forward.

In this article you will learn a lot about Japanese etiquette: how to greet interlocutor how to handle chopsticks, how to behave in public transport, and so on..

Japanese etiquette - a complex "science".

Its origins lie in Confucianism, Shintoism, as well as a strict hierarchical system of Japanese society.

The Japanese almost always polite and calm. They understand that the Europeans is difficult to adapt to their culture and relate to errors in the behavior of the tourists with good irony. That is why knowledge of a foreigner of Japanese tradition makes them genuine respect.

magic words

Appeal to the interlocutor

Nihongo but keyso - a name suffix that is used to communicate and add to the name, surname or profession person. They point to the degree of closeness interlocutors and social ties between them. Circulation without the suffix - rudeness. It is permissible only in communication between pupils, students and close friends, as well as treatment of adult to child.

Basic Nihongo but keyso:

• san - used in the communication between people of equal social status, younger to older, as well as unfamiliar people to show grudging respect (something like our "You");
• kun - used in informal communication between colleagues, friends, and also for the treatment of older to younger (chief to slave);
• -chan - used in a close dialogue between people of equal social status and age, as well as appealing to children (something like a diminutive forms in the Russian language);
• -The - used to express an extreme degree of respect, usually in the official letters (something like "lord");
• -sempay - used when referring to the senior junior (teacher - pupil, a less experienced worker - the more experienced);
• -kohay - reverse "-sempay";
• -sensey - is used when referring to the scientists, doctors, writers, politicians and other distinguished personalities in the society.

Hello!

Greeting - an important part of Japanese culture. Most often it is expressed in a bow (more on this later), but used the words:

• Ohao godzaymasu - good morning.
• Konnitiva - good afternoon.
• Konbanwa - Good evening.
• Hisasiburi desu - long time no see.

Also used such informal options like "Ossa", "Yahho!", "Ooi!" (In male company).

Goodbye!

To say goodbye, say in Japan:

• Sayonara - goodbye.
• Matane - while, see you.
• Oyasumi NASA or just oyasumi - good night.

thanks

Thank Japan as follows:

• Domo - thanks.
• Domo arigato - thank you very much.
• Domo arigato godzaimas - very many thanks.

You are welcome

And respond to courtesy as follows:

• Doitasimasite - Do not mention it.
• Kotirakoso - thank you.
• Otsukare itself - a great job.

request

To ask for help, I must say "onegai" or "kudasai". But Japan is not accepted to request (only in the most extreme cases). Therefore, the rejection of the aid - is not rude, but rather an expression of respect. Take someone's support is only when a person is willing to help a few times in a row.

regret

The usual words of apology - "Gomen NASA" and "Sumimasen". The latter translates literally as "I have no forgiveness" and is used very often. So the Japanese show as much respect for the interlocutor who brought any inconvenience.

Language of the body

Words are secondary to the Japanese. Much (if not all) are expressed in sign language.

The main rule in dealing with the Japanese - can not violate personal space.

Talking to the unfamiliar person, keep your distance. Familiarly no pats on the back and hugs, no invasion of personal comfort zone.

Sight

"Eyes - the mirror of the soul" - we considered. The Japanese are not used to flaunt their souls, they almost never look into the eyes of the interlocutor.

So it happened since ancient times: it was impossible to look into the eyes of the people, standing above you on the social ladder. This was considered unheard of rudeness.

Today, direct public opinion in Japan - a sign of aggression, a challenge. For example, when parents abuse their children, teenagers, they do not perechat them, and just blatantly look in his eyes.

If the Japanese in speaking continually look away, do not think that he is cunning and hiding something. This is normal. To this we must get used to.

Bow

Greeting, gratitude, apology, respect - all these Japanese people expressed through the nods. Bow (ojigi) - an integral part of Japanese culture. Some bow, even on the phone (on the automatic, unconscious). Proper bow - a sign of good breeding.

There are three types of bows:

• Eshaku - short barely perceptible nod, bending back the entire 15º. Widely used in daily life, to welcome friends and unfamiliar people or higher status as a "thank you".
• Keirei - deeper (30º) and a little more than a long bow. So welcome esteemed colleagues, business partners.
• Sai-Keirei - the strongest (45º) and a long bow, expressed deep respect for the person, it is used to greet VIPs.

To properly to worship, you must:

1. Stay.
2. Stand in front of the interlocutor.
3. Hands to squeeze or fold the thighs in front of them (gassho).
4. To make a bow.

Note that the Japanese are very progressive. In communicating with foreigners, they are increasingly being used for the usual handshake Europeans (especially in business).

visiting

The Japanese rarely invited guests in the house (especially foreigners). And it's not starkness. Just his own, and not removable, the house - it is a rarity, and its area is poor.

If you have received an invitation to come for a visit - you provided a great honor. Very impolite to refuse.

Gifts

Go to visit empty-handed can not.

Gifts - an important part of Japanese culture.

They are presented for the holidays, on special occasions, as a sign of respect, and so on. D.

It is very important symbolism and ceremony. There is even a special term "bunker" - the art of gift giving.

The basic rules of gift giving:

• Gift sure to be packed.
• Gift (like any other thing, solemnly transmitted from person to person) to be transmitted and received with both hands.
• It is impossible to unpack a gift (a sign of curiosity and greed).
• The gift should be practical and correspond to the case (often donated money).
• The gifts do not have to figure number 4 (homophone of the character's death).
• For a gift (even if it is very expensive) should "apologize" (your humble gift still can not express the respect that you are having to bestow).
• In response to the gift received in the mail, it is accepted to write thank-you letters.

Thus, according to the rules of etiquette Japanese guest, entering the house, the guest has to stay in the lobby ( "chenkan"), where he was met by the owners. Guest must present a gift to the hostess and apologize for disturbing them with a visit. The owners, in turn, apologize for having taken such a modest guest.

After this exchange of courtesies, you can enter the house.

Footwear

Here the foreigner waiting for a catch. In America and Europe is not made take off one's shoes when entering into the living room. In Japan, it is mandatory.

Enter the house shod - a gross violation of Japanese etiquette. Japanese forgive inexperienced foreigners, many mistakes, but not this one. In Japan, in some provincial towns, shoes removed, even coming to work.

So, before you cross the threshold of the Japanese home, you need to take off our shoes.

Sometimes you will be offered slippers, sometimes not. Here the guest is waiting for the second catch - always ensure the purity and integrity of his socks.

The third trick lurking near the restroom. Near the entrance to the bathroom or toilet in the Japanese house are still some special slippers (rather shale, with special inscriptions). "And let him stand" - think of a foreigner and step over the threshold into the house slippers or barefoot, risking thereby expose themselves to ridicule. To visit the restroom it is necessary to change the shoes.

In transport

In Japan, there are several important rules of conduct in public places, including transportation:

• You can not cry (do not holler loud crowd in person, even if it is your friend).
• You can not be rude and respond to shocks (pushed and stepped on to the transport often (imagine the Tokyo subway passenger traffic), but no breaks and no scandals, all suffer).
• You can not talk on the cell phone at the station, bus stop and all the more in the train - it disturbs other passengers and is considered a top uncultured (all SMSki write).
• You can not sit in a car for women, if you are a man (in the evenings on some branches ply train with wagons intended only for passengers, in order to protect them from harassment during crush).
• You can not blow your nose in public.
• It is not necessary to give way to grandmother (for seniors and people with disabilities have special places illegally occupy that no one would ever think).

At the table

Start the meal

Before the beginning of dinner (in the classical canons) is applied wet hot towel to clean your hands and face, - "hot towel." But if you eat in a normal restaurant, hot towel can not be.

But no matter where you eat before you start eating, you need to say "Itadakimas» (Itadakimasu - «I gratefully accept this food"). This is instead of "bon appetit."

With regard to the sequence of dishes (again, a traditional dinner), you must first taste the rice, soup and then, and only then try any other dishes.

sticks

Hasi - traditional chopsticks. Hasioki - stand under them. The ability to use chopsticks - an indicator of human culture.

With regard chopsticks there are several strict taboo. Read more about this in the article "As it is impossible to use chopsticks».
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Toasts

«Kanpai!» - as the Japanese say, raising a glass of sake (or other alcohol) and clinking glasses. Translated, it means "Bottoms up!".

But to drink to the dregs dangerous. Once the dispensing see the empty glass, he immediately fill it. By the way, if you drink bottled, then fill your glass should be a last resort.

End of the meal

Silently out from behind the table - bad form. It is necessary to thank the one who fed you (owners of the house, the chef of the restaurant), even if he can not hear you. To do this, you need to say "Gochisosama» (Gochisosama).

Another pair of tips

1. Do not be surprised with a loud smacking the table - as the Japanese express the pleasure of eating.
2. Do not attempt to give a tip - it is not accepted.

Business conversation

The Japanese are experts in the business. To earn the trust and respect of Japanese partners, need to know a few basic rules of national business etiquette.

lateness

The Japanese are never late. Making Japanese wait means to show disrespect. It is better to come to a meeting sooner than late.

Not!

Hear from Japanese businessman outright refusal - this is nonsense.

Japanese people do not say "No".

Even if the transaction conditions they are not completely satisfied. Instead, the Japanese will nod and give evasive answers abstract ( "We think," "It is difficult" and so on. D.). The origins of such behavior in "timmoku" (the Japanese art of silence) - it is better to remain silent than to offend the person refused.

If the deal is fully satisfied with the Japanese, you will hear a clear and unambiguous "Yes".

Business Cards

Exchanging business cards - important ceremony of the Japanese business communication. First, a business card - a kind of cheat sheet (Japanese difficult given European names, as well as the Japanese and us). Secondly, on the business card contains the position that allows you to choose the right course of action. Thirdly, it is a sign of respect for the partner.

Business cards are exchanged at the first meeting during the salute. Transmit and receive them as a gift with both hands. Card should be neat, printed on good paper, the text is written (at least) two languages ​​- Japanese and English.

Going to a foreign country - to fulfill its customs. Japanese proverb

Japanese etiquette - a complex and, at times, incomprehensible. Described above - only the tip of the iceberg. If you know of other secrets of Japanese etiquette, share them in the comments.