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Japanese customs

This is a list of Japanese customs and some customs may not be true in another region even within Japan. These are generally accepted modern customs in Japan and those customs changing are listed as Transitive customs. Some customs are historically different and these are listed as well.

Contents

Argument and Debate

Do's Don't

Cooking and Eating

Do's

  • Empty all the plate.
  • Keep mouth closed when munching.
  • Lift bowls if it helps.
  • Say Itadakimasu before eating and Gochisosama after eating.
  • When you can't eat certain foods for an allergic or a religious reason, do let know in advance. Do explain why you can't eat them.

Don't

  • Don't mush foods unless that is the proper way to eat.
  • Don't pick out ingredients you don't like and eat the rest.
  • Don't pour soy sauce over sashimi or sushi. Use a small plate and dip them into soy sauce.
  • Don't pour any sauce or a seasoning on a food without tasting.
  • Don't talk with food in your mouth.

Alcoholic Drinks

Do's

  • Do accept another glass when you can drink more.
  • It is okay to get drunk.
  • When drunk, one's responsibility on actions and talks are reduced.
  • Do leave your glass full when you have had enough.
  • Do pour another glass for others.

Don't

  • Don't force someone to drink.
  • Don't pour your own drink.

Chopsticks

Do's

  • Ask for a fork or a spoon if not familiar with how to use them.
  • Leave them beside a plate when finished eating.
  • Use them to pickup food.

Don't

  • Don't stab food with them.
  • Don't pass food from chopsticks to chopsticks. This is how they pass the remains of the departed ones after the cremation.
  • Don't stand your chopsticks up in a bowl of rice or any food. This carries the meaning of "This food is not fit for the dead."

Funeral

Do's

  • Bring flowers. A local flower shop can arrange an appropriate flowers within a budget.
  • Do participate the entire ceremony. If it helps, get a day off.
  • Wear black or dark clothes.

Don't

  • Don't laugh or make a joke.
  • Don't shout or make a lot of noise.

Greeting and Parting

Do's

  • Bow or shake hands when meeting.
  • When parting, instead of simply saying goodbye, make a wish to meet again.

Don't

  • Don't simply walk off.

Gender Roles

Do's

  • Treat both sex in a same way as much as possible.

Don't

Person to Person

Do's

Don't

  • Don't open a gift immediately. At least ask before opening.
  • Don't stare.

Working Ethics

Do's

  • Arrive early and be prepared to start working as soon as workhours begin.
  • Praise other workers for supports even when they had been a little help for a success.

Don't

Transitive Customs

Do's

Don't

Historic Customs

Do's

Don't

  • Don't try to eat all foods. Leave some uneaten as a complement to hosts.

See Also

Last updated: 05-02-2005 22:32:56
Last updated: 05-03-2005 17:50:55