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 | Tokyo Etiquettes and Behaviors Reviews | Tips 1 - 10 of 52 |  |
 | |  |  | Etiquettes and Behaviors: Going to a movie in Tokyo. | Tip Rating:   |  |  | |  |
You would think that movies in Japan would be the same as those in the US of A. But no, it is very different. The most obvious difference is reserved and assigned seating. Unlike in America where you can just go wild and pick any seat you want, your seat in Japan will typically come with a seat number. It is reserved and a guy with an odd hat will show you how to get there. Don't be alarmed, it is normal. The best seats in the theater are often in the special reserved area. You pay a little more, but you will be in the center of the theatre, and towards the back. In America, I love the back row and in the very middle. In Tokyo, that is an extra 3 bucks I am not willing to spend. Odd theatre snacks. They have the typical candy and popcorn in Japan too, but bowls of noodles and beer can be found in some of the theatres, especially the nice ones in the Ginza. Slurping of the noodles is done before the movie, and the theater is dead silent durring. Talking in a movie is strictly frowned upon, as is excessive entering and leaving for restroom trips. Once you are in your seat, sit down and shut up. Finally comercials play before and between movies, you will sit through hundreds of them. Leave a Comment
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| | | | Etiquettes and Behaviors: The Little Things | Tip Rating: | | | | |
Japan is an extremely polite country, where shouts of "Irasshaimase" ring out when you enter any shop, and salespeople thank you profusely for making a purchase. When paying for your purchase, you will usually see a little tray where you're supposed to lay your o-kane (money) or credit card. So don't hand over your cash; instead lay it on the tray and the staff will pick it up. Ordering food is not as difficult as you would imagine, because the shops usually lay out models of their dishes in the front, so you can see what you order. In some shops, you should be able to get a menu in English, if you ask. Business travellers should take note always to bring an ample supply of namecards, particularly when you are being introduced to new people. Name cards should be handed over with both hands, with the card facing your recipient. When addressing people, regardless of gender, you should call them by their last name, and add an honorific -san behind. E.g. Honda-san, Oda-san.... And as you would for any business occasion, remember to be punctual. Always make allowance for travel times, particularly if you're braving the morning crush on the trains. One very useful word I've picked up is "sumimasen", which could mean anything from "excuse me" to "thank you" to "can I have your attention please". It's especially useful in restaurants or shops if you want to attract the staff's attention. Leave a Comment
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| | | | Etiquettes and Behaviors: Subway Ettiquite | Tip Rating: | | | | |
There are a lot of things a Westerner needs to know about riding the subway in Tokyo. Where to begin? First of all, if you are non-Asian looking, people on the subway will automatically be nervous about you. You are disturbing their chi (a mystical energy, sense of calmness, etc.) Just try to fit in, don't talk to the people on the train (unless you are with someone, preferably a local). Seating. If you are western and sitting on a seat while Japanese are standing, you will probably get a lot of strange looks (unless you are female, then it is somewhat ok.) Western men are just expected to stand. And if you give up your seat to an old lady who is standing, don't be surprised if a Japanese man jumps into it before the lady can. It is just the culture. Porn, don't be surprised to see people reading what appears to you to be pornography on a subway. Many of the magazines feature full nudity or sex in them, even comics. It is considered rude to look over someones shoulder at them, and the fact that you are western and looking will make people uncomfortable too. The most important rule, never touch a Japanese person, especially women or schoolgirls. You are cruising for a beating that way. There are many Japanese perverts on the subway who already touch the women inappropriately, don't be that person. Plus, as a westerner, the locals already think you are going to rape or kill them in the back of their minds. It is just their overall impression of Americans, and they are afraid of them for the most part. Play by the rules and everything will be ok on the subway. Leave a Comment
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| | | | Etiquettes and Behaviors: My credentials: I lived in... | Tip Rating:  | | | | |
My credentials: I lived in Japan for six years; I speak/read/write the language quite well, and I know the culture intimately. Japanese people are quite restrained and conservative. However, they always make generous exceptions for gaijin, and in fact you will have a hard time finding a Japanese person who will treat you as they would another Japanese person. So, in essence, if you're trying to 'fit in': forget about it. Most Japanese are very friendly, but very few speak English with any proficiency. Don't expect to be understood without a lot of hand-waving, etc. Some Japanese people think they speak English, but are in fact deluded. Others will be scared to death when they are actually confronted with this reality. If you need to find someone who speaks English, I suggest 1) finding another gaijin, 2) a hotel desk clerk, 3) a hip-looking salaryman (=business suit type), in that order with 3 trailing by a large margin. You should never tip in Japan. Language: 'konnichi-wa' (hello: daytime), 'komban-wa' (hello: nighttime), 'oHAyo goZAImas' (good morning), 'GENki des ka?' (how are you [feeling]?). If you want to catch someone's attention, though, just say 'ano...' and draw out the 'o' sound; this is like saying, 'ummm...' Thank someone by saying, '(domo) arigato goZAImas', or just 'domo'. Try to avoid leaving off the 'gozaimas' because it is mildly impolite. Note that 'domo' can also be used as a greeting, but I suggest tourists avoid that usage. 'Where is X?' = 'X wa DOko des ka?' or 'X wo saGASHte imas.' (I'm looking for X) 'I'm lost.' = 'MIchi ni mayoimashta.' 'Where is the station?' = 'Eki wa doko des ka?' 'Give me this.' = '(Kore wo) kudasai.' or 'Kore wo onegai shimas.' 'Give me the check.' = 'GoKANjo wo (onegai shimas).' But in many places waiters will leave the check/receipt near your table and update it each time you order; in either case, you are always expected to bring it up to the register (usually near the entrance) and pay there. Don't expect to be able to use credit cards; many places do not accept them. Bring cash. Always cash. Only yen. Don't worry: it is almost safe to carry around your entire life savings in Japan. I have seen people counting large wads of money on the street. Many people carry around Y40,000-10,000 (about US$400-1,000) in their wallet (I did). However, you need to be a little, tiny bit careful of pickpockets on trains. Meal prices vary widely, but expect to pay around Y700 for a decent, cheap meal. If you go to an iZAkaya (restaurant, with emphasis on drinking) you will pay Y3000-4000 (about US$30-40). Now pay attention because I'm going to say something important: Westerners are accustomed to ordering a single meal and a drink, and maybe dessert or an appetizer. But that is not how Asians dine in general, especially on a night out with their friends. Instead, they each pick a few small dishes, which are set out on the table, and everyone shares the food. People who don't understand this are often unhappy with Japanese food and complain about the small portions; conversely, if you are dining with a Japanese acquaintance, it will turn into a major faux pas. (I speak from experience!) However, you will probably want to eat at least one or two meals in a nice, traditional Japanese restaurant. Let me assure you it will be quite expensive (say, minimum Y10,000 for two people, but it can easily go up to twice that much), but worth it. In these places, you can often get an entire dinner course, and there is no need to pick out individual dishes yourself. If you get a chance and have the money, try some SHAbu-SHAbu, which is a delicious meal---meat dipped in sake. Sukiyaki is good too, of course. In both cases, it is worthwhile to have someone instructing you how to fix and eat it, though, because it is not entirely straightforward. For lunch, you can find relatively cheap meals called 'TAYshoku' at many restaurants. These are set meals, about Y800-1000. One thing you will learn very quickly is that Japanese people love to drink. There is very little stigma in Japan against getting drunk; in fact, drunkenness is a good excuse for any behavior (including being a pain in the ass to gaijin). Friday night you will find many drunken salarymen riding the trains, passed out on the street, throwing up in the corner of a bathroom or train station, etc. Ignore this; it is a perfectly normal part of the Japanese Experience. Japanese people drink mostly beer, surprisingly enough, although it depends on the environment. But often you cap off a night with some sake (nihon-shu). There are both cold and hot variants. Try both. BTW, Japanese beer is quite good: I recommend Kirin and Asahi. If you order, you will be probably be asked to specify: bottle 'BOtoru', draft 'NAma', stein 'JOkki' (sizes: big 'dai', middle 'chu'). Things you must eat: saSHImi. Boy, do I love sashimi. Mmmm-mmm! Tuna ('MAguro') is best. Often there will be a 'potpourri' selection, which is 'MOriAWAse'. Sushi is OK, too, but you don't get as much flavor as with sashimi. (Sushi is sashimi on rice...) The good thing about sushi, though, is there are usually pictures so you can point it out. In fact, many menus have pictures, and many (most?) stores have plastic displays of their food outside their entrances. YAkiTOri. This is chicken on a stick. You will be asked: 'SHIo' (salt) or 'TAre' (sauce). I prefer salt. Ramen! These are noodles. You really should not pass this up; it's part of the Japanese Experience. There are tons of ramen shops, and many variations, but every place will always have just a plain 'ramen'. Other good ones are 'cha-shu-men' (includes pork) and 'SHIo-ramen' (salty). 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| | | | Etiquettes and Behaviors: A few samples of personal importance. | Tip Rating: | | | | |
Bow first, then shake hands if offered. Some Japanese will try to cater to your customs, but most will not feel comfortable performing customs foreign to them (like shaking hands). Do not blow your nose in public. The Japanese consider this rude behaviour, which is why you will see a lot of Japanese sniffing, when you think they should be blowing. If you must, do it discreetly, and turn away from the crowd. Pedestrians wearing masks are not keeping germs in - they don't want to catch germs from others. With such a large population in such a cramped space, germs float freely - it's a precaution against germs and pollution. Do not spike your food with chopsticks. They're not skewers, and they're not fork replacements. If you have difficulty using them properly, ask for a fork. It's more polite to admit failure than to offend by poking things! Do not pass food with your chopsticks. Germs - no different than here - within a family unit, sure - you'd feed your kids with your fork, but you probably wouldn't pass food to your friends, would you? The Japanese store employee is subservient to you. It is their desire - their wish - their culture - their JOB - to make you feel welcome, and to help you with whatever you need. In Western society, we feel compelled to buy if a salesperson is pushy, and feel uncomfortable - but in Japan, it's more important to ensure the customer is happy, than to force the sale. The greeting ladies at the front of department stores will bow deeply for you - it is not necessary to acknowledge them, and they'll probably be bowed down until you're well past anyway, so they couldn't see you respond. The common greeting in almost every store or service area is a basic "welcome" - sounds like Irashayimassay. If language is a barrier, & you need to escape, just say Thank You (Arigato) & walk away. Unless you're braver than I, look for Western toilets. The Japanese toilets are like a urinal planted in the floor - I don't care for squatting! Leave a Comment
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on August 20, 2004
Tokyo
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