10 Japanese Customs You Must Know Before Going in Japan

There are 10 Japanese customs that you should know before going on a holiday in Japan. If you know these habits, you can understand more quick the lifestyle of citizens

1. The respect for others

The respect is implemented in children's behavior from the first years of school. For tourists, a simple inclination of the head or a bending the body with a hand on the waist is usually enough.

It is also very important the way in which you introduce yourself and address to others. A certain "Dr. Smith" would feel insulted if you call him just 'Smith', as any citizen, if you don't attach to his name the suffix "san" or "sama".

Children usually enjoy when they are called on their first name, but it's better to use the suffix "chan" for girls and "kun" for boys.

2. Manners at dinner

Just a few tips:

If you are at dinner or at a party, you must wait before drinking. Someone will almost always have a small speech and will shout "kampai!" (Cheers).

You'll receive in any restaurant a small piece of wet material. Use it to clean your hands before eating, and then place it next to the table. Don't use it as a napkin or to clean your face.

You can eat directly from the bowls (even rice, without sticks).

Even before taking the meal, whether it is at a great restaurant or just in a supermarket, it's polite to say 'itadakimasu' (let's eat).

3. No tips

The idea of a tip is not accepted in any situation in Japan. To leave someone a tip is almost an insult, the services you ask for are already paid by you, so why to pay extra?

If you're in Tokyo and you do not know to speak Japanese at all, a waiter or waitress might take the money you leave them more because he/ she won't wish to explain you in bad English that this is unacceptable.

4. The sticks

It depends on the restaurant where you go, it may be needed to use them.

If you don't know to use sticks, it's better to try, because it's not so hard.

Don't be afraid, because everybody knows that just they cam use them properly.

If you are at the same table with Japanese, he will be pleasantly impressed to see that you eat by using sticks.

5. The slippers

Take off your shoes every time when you get in someone's house or in the hotel. Usually, a person will stay at the door and will take your shoes, and nearby you will find some slippers. Many Japanese use to bring their slippers.

Be careful though not to forget to use other slippers from the bathroom.

It is also very rude to go from one room to another with the same slippers that you used to cross a room with linoleum.

6. The masks

The sterilized masks (like those used by doctors) are sometimes worn by the Japanese as a protection measure against the possible diseases.

Sometimes, ill people wear them, in order not to infest the subway neighbor. So, if you have a cold and sneeze, you might need one.

7. The obedience

Don't try to go out on the street alone, to eat alone or to speak loud at the phone in public places. The Japanese culture is based on groups only, not on individual.

You'll draw attention and you'll probably be asked for autographs and pictures, because only the celebrities are usually seen alone there; strange but true.

8. Having a bath

In Japan are many popular bathhouses. Sento, or the places conceived to have a bath, can be found anywhere, from the largest town to the smallest one.

In comparison with other cultures, the Japanese have a bath after they wash themselves in advance. Be very careful not to be dirty when you have a bath, this is very important for them.

Try to find some free time to visit a 'sento', if you get a chance. There are places without barriers, places where no one is criticized by color, language or age ... in fact, there are separate rooms for men and women, but there are places where they are mixed.

9. English Language

The Japanese will think you are a native speaker of English. Even in a short visit you'll wake up in strange situations:

- A group of schoolchildren on the street will welcome you with "Hello, Hello, Hello".

- A certain person will come to you and will ask "Where are you from?"

Are the Japanese friendly? They surely are.

If you'll want to talk in Japanese, which is more or less good, some will insist rather to speak English. And if you speak well in Japanese, you might be surprised when they will ask you to speak in English.

10. The safety

Everybody will tell you to take care of everything that's yours during the visit to Japan. But it is very unlikely for a Japanese to steal something. The Japanese are afraid of something else: the fear of crime is very high.

Sources: www.japan-guide.com/forum/quereadisplay.html?0+32828, www.allsands.com/food/japaneseeating_nr_gn.htm, whatjapanthinks.com/2009/03/10/lunch-time-habits-in-japan, kotaku.com/368953/sega-researches-japanese-bathing-habits