Japanese customs

Each country has its own habits about how talk to other people, how drink, how eat, more globally how live with others. These habits are nearly the same in all european countries, but they may be really different in eastern countries : particularly in Japan. There are some of things to do or to do not if you are in Japan.

Japaneses are very polite : it is important to never miss the greetings.

To say hello you should shake your hands, but not to strong to never injure the other one. Generally, it's not proper to kiss other people. Particularly young people. You have to reserve for privacy demonstrations of affection to your wife by instance.

If you meet somebody for business, you may show them your business-card. If they make sounds when they read it, that means you are somebody important.

In every case, if you have already met the other one, never forget to thanks him for your last meeting.

Japaneses distinguish between behavior in private from behavior in business. They can be very emotional in private but are always reserved in business. When you are talking with them, try to being as humanly as possible and never say ''yes'' or ''no''. It would be very embarrassing. It's better to use another turn of phrase like ''Maybe'', ''that's will be difficult'', ''I hear what you say''... And if you contradict the other one, don't forget to punctuate your speak with ''excuse me''.

There are a lot of gestures which are unknown in Japan. By instance blinking or shrugging your shoulders are considerate like nervous twitches which are not proper. Similarly, to blow your nose in public is very rude, but you can sniffle.

Other polite gestures in west are disliked. By instance, to hold the door for the next person or to give your place in the bus to somebody who need it more. Japaneses think everybody are able to take care of themselves alone.

At home, there are too a lot of rules. At first you take off your shoes and only use slippers. These one may be exchanged to enter in particular rooms like bathroom or living room with a tatami. There are no chair, you only seat on your legs on the floor.

Unlike westerner's, toilet is unlocked and if you want to know if it's free or not, you should knocked and wait a respons.

Generally, the japanese mother is very friendly and wants the best for her guests.

If you want to go to the restaurant, it is better that you come with a regular customer of it. During all the meal he will be your host and decides for you what you will eat when he orders. At the beginning you have to wipe your hands, and only if you are a man your face and arms too, with hot water in a towel. But you never touch the food with your hands : you use chopsticks.

There is a specific way to begin the meal, a specific one to ask more rice, a specific place for each things you use to eat (bowls, lids, chopsticks), a specific way to end the meal. Each step is expected and may mean something different.

The most important things when you are eating is the noise you make when you eat. Japaneses attach more importance about it than the taste of food.

At the end, don't forget to say ''it was a feast''. Unlike in western countries, you shouldn't give tip to the server, it would be interpreted like disrespectful.

More generally, there are a lot of rules regarding gifts.

You shouldn't give tip except if somebody brings your suitcase, but if he brings you back your banknote by instance, you may give they money it contains to him.

If you want to make a gift, you have to wrap it before. In general manner, never refuse a present, but if somebody give you an envelop, it's not proper to open it in front of him. In all case : never forget to thanks !

If you follow these advices, you should miss a diplomatic incident.