Surviving Japan

Traveling to a new destination is always exciting. Knowing a little about the etiquette of the people will help do the right things without offending anyone and make your trip both successful and enjoyable. Japanese are a very sensitive people, more fastidious about etiquette and proper form. Whether you are in Japan for tourism or living, your actions have a profound impact on how others look at you. When you were a child, you may have gotten reprimanded for noisily slurping your food while eating. In Japan, you may slurp to your heart's content. When eating noodles or soup in Japan, it's not only socially acceptable to slurp, it's polite and a sign that you are enjoying your meal. In spite of the fact that Japan is becoming more Westernized, especially with younger people, it is still important to abide by their customs whenever possible. Remember to be polite and respect Japanese traditions. Travel to Japan can be a rich and rewarding adventure. But there are certain norms about Japan which a traveller has to keep in mind.

 

1. The Bow is a complex greeting. While visitors are not expected to understand the complexities of the perfect bow, do not over bow or ignore the greeting.

2. Never visit a public restroom without carrying your own tissues or toilet paper. Not all restrooms stock these and you will be in for a rude shock.

3. Blowing your nose in public is a complete no-no.

4. Never count the change handed back to you at any establishment, shop, a restaurant or a taxi driver. It is considered very rude.

5. Shoes are not worn in Japanese homes, temples, ryokan, and various other public places (including some restaurants). Don’t panic, your shoes will not be stolen while you are off at a temple.

6. Do not wear slippers onto the tatami floor of the house. Don’t wear toilet slippers out of the toilet.

7. Do not drink and drive. It is severely punished.

8. Do not drink if you are below the age limit. The legal drinking age is 20.

9. Don’t start drinking until everyone at the table is served and the glasses are raised to toast. The Japanese drinking salute is usually "Kampai!"

10. Never pour your own drink when you are dining with others. It is considered impolite. Instead, serve your dining partners their drinks.

11. Never dish out food to another using the same ends you just ate
from, use the top ends.

12. Don't use your chopsticks to point at somebody or something.

13. Don't leave your chopsticks standing up out of your food. It is reminiscent of the death ceremony.

14. Don’t move your food around with your chopsticks. Never lick your chopsticks.

15. Don't take wads of napkins, sugar packs or steal "souvenirs" when you leave a restaurant. Never crumple the used napkin and leave it in a mess.

16. Do not put soy sauce on your rice. It isn't meant for that.

17. While slurping is acceptable, burping is not. Avoid spitting and sneezing too.

18. Do not put sugar or cream in Japanese tea.

19. There is no real custom like "help yourself". Wait until the host offers something.

20. Don’t enter a hosts kitchen unless invited.

21. Don't tip. It is not customary in Japan.

22. Don’t drain the water after taking a bath at someone's house. Everyone in the household uses the same bathwater. As a guest, you'll be able to use the bath first.

23. Don’t kiss in public or when meeting someone for the first time.

24. Don’t smoke or talk loudly on a bus or a train.

25. Don’t give potted plants to someone in the hospital.

26. Don’t stand on any threshold.

27. Don’t eat in the locker room of a public bath. Do not eat and drink while walking in public. No food and drink taken in at a store.

28. Do not give gifts in sets of four or six as it is considered unlucky, the Japanese word for four also means death.

29. Never give items that symbolize severing, such as knives, scissors etc.

30. Don´t push and shove in rush hour commuting, there is no need to rush for trains or buses as they run very close schedules.

31. Don´t try to open taxi doors as the driver will do this for you.

32. Do not say something like “I hope to see you again” when parting.

33. Do not take photos of geisha without asking permission.