Etiquette and Taboo in Japan
Japan is a country that values social etiquette. Japan has a unique etiquette culture that is different from western countries. Japanese people value importance to etiquette, and in the daily work, study, and life of the Japanese, it is more reverent and polite than the sense of intimacy. In daily life, the Japanese creed is "not to cause trouble to others" and has the following taboos in dealing with people:
1、Etiquettes for gift
If you give someone a gift in China, you can't send an umbrella, a bell, etc. What about Japan? Don't send green tea when you want to congratulate others! Because the green tea is usually given to everyone at the funeral in Japan, it will not be used in other occasions. Another gift that is taboo is the handkerchief, because the character of the handkerchief is a "hand towel" and will associate with breaking off relations. However, if there are color stripes or patterns in the handkerchief, it is OK.
2、Taboos for numbers and color
The Japanese do not like purple, and think it is a sad color. The most taboo color is green. Because green is considered to be an ominous color. It is also taboo for Japanese people on lotus patterns. They think that the lotus is used in funeral. Japanese avoid numbers such as "9" and "4". When giving a gift, don't give a gift with the number "9", because the pronunciation of "9" in Japanese is the same as "bitter". The pronunciation of "4" is the same as "death", so when arranging accommodation, avoid the 4th floor of No. 4 room. "February" and "August" are taboos for Japanese businessmen, because these two months are the off-season. In Japan, 3, 5, and 7 are auspicious numbers for Japanese.
3、Meeting etiquette in Japan
In Japan, if you meet with someone else, you should arrive at the place of the appointment 5 minutes to 10 minutes in advance. Japanese people are generally very strict with time, so they are quite punctual. Even if the Japanese are late for work, they will report to the supervisor that they may be half an hour late, but in fact they may arrive only 15 minutes later. This is to let the other party feel that they are very concerned about the time and therefore arrive as soon as possible. So if you have a date with a friend, come a little earlier or if you know you may be late, you must inform the other in advance.
The Japanese feel that going to the other people's home is an interruption. The owner has to greet and prepare a bunch of things, so unless you really have a deep relationship with the other people, you will definitely buy a gift as a courtesy when you go to the other people’s home.
4、Social etiquette
When you attend a KTV singing party, don't sing the theme songs that others want to sing. The most taboo is to sing the theme song of others without warning, even if it is a joke, the Japanese will be really dumbfounded. If you already know that a song is someone else's song, don't sing that song or sing that song with that person. Being an audience is a manifestation of respect for others.
Japanese people are most afraid of being asked about income and rent. Because as long as you know one of them, you can probably guess the economic ability of a person. It is said that the Kansai area is relatively unscrupulous about income and rent.
5、Dining etiquette in Japan
Japanese people like to divide food into each small bowl, and everyone has to divide the same food equally. So it is best to order a few dishes to eat together, instead of just ordering the main dish to eat.
6、Chopstick etiquette in Japan
Another thing to note is that with chopsticks, don't use chopsticks to deliver food. After cremation in Japan, the bones of the deceased will be picked up. At this time, special chopsticks will be used to make similar movements, so try to avoid this behavior when dining.
7、Etiquette for Saying goodbye
Don't ask when to meet next time. Usually they will say "I will contact you again!", they will not say a fixed time. In fact, this sentence is just a phrase for them to say goodbye. There is no other meaning. After hearing this sentence, you don't have to rush to ask when you want to make another appointment. If you really want to meet again, you will definitely contact the others.
In Japan, after saying goodbye to others, they usually look back and wave to each other. There is a concept that makes the other person cherish and see you again. In fact, this is because they attach great importance to the time of each meeting, because they do not know when to meet next time.
8、Shoe etiquette in Japan
If you go to a Japanese home, remember to take off your shoes when you enter a Japanese home.
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