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Etiquettes and Behaviors, Tokyo
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Etiquettes and Behaviors
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Etiquettes and Behaviors: when outside strolling around...
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  • when outside strolling around you should not eat anything. No one eats outside in public. and you don't blow your nose in public. When meeting people a slight bow is still the traditional mark of respect.

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    Etiquettes and Behaviors: The Japanese get insulted if...
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  • The Japanese get insulted if you try to tip them for a job well done. Instead, tell the manager or next in command what a fine job your service person did and comment overall on the high quality of the establishment. The Japanese are a gracious and gift-giving people. If staying with a family, or visiting friends, bring small, high quality presents from your home country. It is not recommended that you try to impress them with how 'Japanese' you can be. You may find teens and young adults calling you 'kawateru' meaning eccentric. Be yourself and observe good manners. If you speak Japanese use the polite neutral forms of speech. It is not expected that you know the intricacies of 'keigo', the highly formal language of courtesy that involves an in depth knowledge of ritualistic Japanese etiquette. I found that t-shirts and book bags from Ivy League Universities made very good presents for young Japanese. Older people may like a fine china or porcelin dish. Best to check with someone in the family about what items from overseas will be most welcome. If you are buying fragrances for women go towards the very light and floral.

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    Etiquettes and Behaviors: Keep left! This is obvious if...
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  • Keep left! This is obvious if you're driving, but it's also important to keep left when you're walking too, especially in crowded subway stations. If you insist on walking on the right, you'd better memorize the phrase Gomen nasai (I'm sorry).

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    Etiquettes and Behaviors: Bowing (Ojigi)
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  • Bowing (Ojigi) is a usual and an important custom in Japan and is done quiet regularly. Generally, they greet each other by bowing in place of handshaking. It is impolite not to bow in return. Japanese people tend to become a little uncomfortable with the more physical forms of contact but accept the handshake with westerners.

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    Etiquettes and Behaviors: Don't take any crap from the...
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  • Don't take any crap from the Japanese. They have lived shoulder to shoulder for so long that bumping into others or pushing their way onto a train or bus is acceptable. Unless you want to be left standing on the platform learn to shove right along with the rest of them. Also, if you happen to have to stand in line for something, hold your ground, older Japanese women are notorious for blatantly cutting in front of anyone without a care. Lastly, carry some napkins or a small towel. Japanese eateries either don't have napkins or provide small tissue thin ones.

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    Etiquettes and Behaviors: Do not ever tip anyone in...
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  • Do not ever tip anyone in Japan, it seems strange but for them it's an offense.
    Do not throw away the cigarettes on the sidewalk, you'll see that they have big ashtrays when crossing the streets.

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    Etiquettes and Behaviors: Appearance Is Important In Japan
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  • A Geisha entertaining our group for the evening - Tokyo
    A Geisha entertaining our
    group for the evening
    by Krystynn
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    Do you know that APPEARANCE is terribly important here in Japan?

    Well, fortunately for me, I knew about this fact before I stepped foot on Japanese soil. (Phew, huh?). Japanese aren't known as one of the world's greatest dressers for nothing, ya know. In short, dress to impress.

    Wherever you go in Tokyo, you'd notice that the men there are almost always clad in conservative business suits. And women should not wear pants in the business setting. Japanese men tend to find this offensive.

    Japanese men generally don't like women to tower over them. Poor tall women... So, in order to rectify this 'problem', try and wear low-heeled shoes.


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    Etiquettes and Behaviors: Don't you think this is a cool...
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  • Don't you think this is a cool couple? Check out those resplendent typically Japanese wedding costume too! It left me speechless when I was given this pic. Oh, and the beautiful lady in the pic is not me... (Just in case you are reeeeally curious). ;-)

    If you ever get invited to a Japanese wedding, please remember some important DOs and DON'Ts. I still want you to remain friends with your Japanese pals AFTER the wedding.

    - You are expected to give cash as wedding gift. This act is called Oshugi.

    - The amount of money to be given really depends on your relationship with the couple. The closer you are to them, the higher the amount. Panic, Panic!

    - The current market rate for giving (average) is 30,000 Yen for a friend's wedding.

    - Please ensure that you place the money in a special envelope called Shugi-bukuro and don't forget to write YOUR name on the front of the envelope. These cool envelopes can be purchased at a local supermarket or convenience store.

    - And remember to dress in FORMAL ATTIRE when you're attending a wedding reception.


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    Etiquettes and Behaviors: O.K., I'm going to devote a...
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  • O.K., I'm going to devote a few lines now to talk about the Japanese custom of BOWING.
    The whole world knows (really?) that bowing is a customary practice here in Japan. While we typically offer our hands via a handshake when we want to show warmth or sincerity, the Japanese preference is to bow from the waist in a gesture of silent respect. Without having to utter a word, a bow can convey a salutation, a good-bye, or an expression of gratitude.

    Do you know that there are THREE different ways in which you can bow? Let me start describing them one by one beginning with:

    - The Shallow Bow - The 15-degree shallow bow is used only towards people whom we are familiar with.

    - The Ordinary Bow - The 45-degree bow is used in most cases i.e. acquaintances whom you come into contact with.

    - The Politest Bow - The 90-degree politest bow is reserved for ceremonial occasions such as a visit to a shrine or Buddhist temple.

    Have Bow will Travel! Hope you'd enjoy your bowing experience in Tokyo... :-))


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    Etiquettes and Behaviors: Like in most of places with a...
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  • Like in most of places with a different colture you have to respect traditions and of course SMILE .....

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