Japan has a well justified reputation of complex traditions and etiquette subtle. Westerners traveling or private business are often afraid to commit a sacrilege by ignorance irreparable. There is no need for alarm, because the Japanese are tolerant of foreigners who commit blunders. Knowledge of the main customs will save you from surprises, but it is not necessary to master all the social rules. The most important thing is to adopt an open attitude and show respect for people and customs.
Good manners are aimed at making social life easier, while avoiding unnecessary conflict and ensuring that it does not bother others. Is the first attentions of hygiene and maintenance. The board a professor of English spoken before the bachelor was "taking a shower in the morning and brush your teeth before the test," and he was right. This applies particularly to Japan in summer, when moist heat makes it difficult promiscuity. Note also that it is impolite in Japan to blow his nose in public, and that act is done in the toilet. It is permissible to sniff cons until we can empty the nostrils discreetly.
should also have suitable clothing for the occasion. The internationalization of clothing habits facilitates res. Japanese companies and ceremonies are however often more "dressed" than their Western counterparts. A suit and tie or a suit of sober color will do the job. The "casual Friday" does not spread everywhere, you will learn before taking this initiative. In academia or research, a casual dress, cotton trousers and shirt or polo, is often perfectly acceptable. Between students or on weekends, own any outfit be tolerated, but again, sobriety will go anywhere.
Be courteous, but also respect the rules, which are often more stringent than in France. It is therefore inappropriate to light a cigarette in a non-smoking area, call in an area "silent", to cross at traffic lights or in a double tail. If your Japanese contacts you make a remark on a custom or a minor use, you will show your adaptability and your modesty with an apology and you fold without trying to discuss the merits of the practice. This is also how you assimilate the local ways. Your challenges often facing a "That's in Japan" that hinder your contacts and you will feel uncomfortable. The compliance is also de rigueur in the one area where we could at any moment to kill: driving. The Highway Code is the first book of etiquette. Note that in Japan, bike ride on sidewalks. Caution is the watchword for pedestrians and cyclists. Accuracy is the politeness of kings, and this applies also in the archipelago, where one does not tolerate the "quarter hour Gallic, whether in business or in private. You will be well advised to build a realistic schedule for your stay which will allow you a perfect punctuality.
In all countries, an honest man knows how to listen. The French Yet sometimes have to interrupt the reflex to show their intelligence by a witty remark. This attitude is rightly regarded as intolerable in Japan but also in most Anglo-Saxon, so you should resist that temptation. The Japanese do not speak any English or French fluently. If you do not speak Japanese, you will need to be patient in conversation in foreign languages, because your audience will probably find it difficult to express their ideas. You will ensure a slow and clear diction, avoiding idiomatic expressions that can disturb your audience. Prefer "We will soon solved this problem "to" We see the end of the tunnel, "or" rough estimate "to" Ball-park figure ". Humor resents the translation, it is wiser to just simple jokes. Avoid especially about gravel, at least when everyone is sober or when women are present. You will need to keep a sense of overkill that you will perhaps your command of English, the flattery of your Japanese counterparts, or even your hair blond and tall, and try not to brag, which is particularly common.
In private conversations, the topics are controversial to avoid at all costs, especially if you think you are right. It is not very intelligent debate, sometimes with intimate crimes of the Second World War, the whaling or disgraceful manners of some marginal, often inaccurately described in the Western media. Even if your view was correct, nobody likes to receive lessons from a stranger. This applies to all countries, but particularly in Japan, where social harmony is valued. You often meet an awkward silence. Some speakers, however, accept the controversy. You might be surprised by the arguments, and find yourself in difficulty. In most areas, the West has no lessons to give. You will have pleasant conversations by asking your host to explain an aspect of Japan. You will have learned something, and we will be glad that you are interested in the country.
Our speech so far was not specific to Japan, but knowledge of some customs of the country will avoid the biggest blunders. The first rule to which the Japanese will never exception is to remove his shoes in a dwelling, but also in some places to use collective as temples or changing rooms of sports facilities and some restaurants. Places are still prohibited for elevated shoes. When in doubt, ask yourself. A "shoes OK? "Showing off your shoes will be understood everywhere. Even for a business appointment, you could go to a restaurant that requires heaving, so you must always wear clean socks without holes. Moccasins are more enjoyable, but nobody will hold it against you to keep your shoes with lace.
If you receive a dwelling, or if you are attending a public bath, it should monitor the use of the Japanese toilet: we soaped vigorously in a shower outside the bathroom, and it rinses off completely before entering the bath. It is important not to drain the water after his bath, as it will be used several times a day. This obviously does not apply to your own bathtub in your hotel room "western" where you can leisurely lather.
The meal, a place of socialization is that of all the fears that gentleman wants. But again, simple rules can do well. The Japanese eat with chopsticks, but fully understand that foreigners do not speak necessarily those covered. However, it is better to try eating with chopsticks, even though the beginnings are heroic. In general, the Japanese appreciate more the effort that is done, the famous "Gambaru (がんばる) or" do its best ", that the final result. Ask your Japanese contacts, and if you do not really get, you can get covered western was available almost everywhere, suggesting that like that, you wait less than a meal. It is prohibited to pass food between your chopsticks and those of another guest. This gesture recalls the rite of burial when family members are passing the bones of the deceased person to person using chopsticks, and it's obviously a bad sign. The white rice is eaten with no extra sauce, but you can ask for "furikake, an assortment of condiments, to meet the rice if it seems too bland. You thank your hosts at the end of the meal. Your Japanese hosts probably pay your meal, but it is fashionable to inquire when the same bill.
It is perfectly acceptable to have food taboos, and you can articulate your Japanese hosts who try to adapt the program accordingly. It is always better to know in advance and discreetly. Japanese dishes that amaze the most are the raw fish sushi and sashimi. If you do not want to eat, you can always excuse a cons-medical indication. It is fashionable to taste the local cuisine. Besides sushi and sashimi, most of Japanese cuisine is actually very accessible, since it consists of fish, meat and vegetables cooked in a spicy sweet and sour sauce made from soy (醤 油, Shoyu). You do not have to like everything. Dishes such as natto (纳豆) soybeans fermented with stringy cheese smell, reluctant many Japanese, but again, your goodwill will be appreciated by your guests. Sociability in Japan is based on alcohol, and it is strongly recommended to take part in the toasts. Your neighbors will fill your glass. If you want to limit your intake, just leave your glass full and taste alcohol lip service, ordering a glass of water in addition. You will be grateful to have saved appearances.
The exchange of gifts is common. A souvenir will always be happy, and it is never inappropriate to give gifts of a few euros. A small box of shortbread or even a good local wine will delight your guests a night. We try wherever possible to have a package and a stylish box. A brand is always appreciated. It is frowned upon to praise his gifts, but you can answer questions about product origin. When you get your turn a memory, it is best to ask permission before breaking package: the Japanese custom is in fact not open the gift in the presence of the person who offered it, not to embarrass the author of this modest. Any gift given worth rendering half the value, but it can occur much later, during your next trip for example. At weddings, we offer money in an envelope provided for that purpose, available everywhere, with an odd number of tickets. If the person is not a close, 30,000 Yen (185 Euro), or even 15,000 yen (93 Euro) are sufficient. We give the envelope to the reception at the entrance to the banquet hall. If you visit a patient, it is proper etiquette to bring a small gift too, but potted plants should be avoided: they are bacteria and nests they portend a long stay where the patient will eventually "take root "to the hospital.
Note also that Japanese politeness is organized around the "first gentleman." Western women should not take offense to get behind men in some precedence. Western men will sometimes agree to pass the Japanese women. A good rule of conduct is likely to propose the precedence Japanese women, who sometimes accept with pleasure. If they refused several times, man must pass to avoid seeing the courtesies extend for several minutes, and impeding a Japanese woman chaste.
I developed in another topic a few tips to get of Japan in France . You'll probably also interested this article giving specific advice for those working in Japan
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