Japanese etiquette is an important component of the inhabitants of this country. The rules and traditions laid down in ancient times determine the social behavior of the Japanese today. Interestingly, individual etiquette provisions may vary in different regions, vary over time, but the key rules remain unchanged. The article describes in detail the main modern traditions of this country.
At work
Japanese etiquette is manifested in almost all areas of life. Work is no exception. Existing business etiquette in Japan is significantly different from what is customary to adhere to in the West and in our country. For example, in a conversation we are used to the fact that according to the opponent’s reaction you can always understand his position on a particular issue. Japanese business etiquette suggests listening to the interlocutor thoroughly, without making any comments, even if they fundamentally disagree with what he is saying. The Japanese can nod to you, but this does not mean that he agrees, but only indicates that he understands the meaning of what was said.
If you send a written invitation to a Japanese company with which you have not previously collaborated, to join a project, you will probably not receive an answer. The Japanese prefer direct contact with partners. To establish business relations in accordance with business etiquette in Japan, it is recommended to use the practice of dating through intermediaries. In the future, an intermediary may come in handy in case of difficulties, as both parties can express their concerns to him without losing face, which is extremely important for representatives of this country.
In Japanese etiquette, business cards play a big role. They must indicate the position and affiliation to a particular company. If at the meeting you do not give your card in response, this can be perceived as an insult.
Negotiation practice
The rules of Japanese etiquette during negotiations have a number of features. A foreigner may be surprised that at the preliminary stage a lot of attention will be paid to secondary problems. At the same time, Japanese entrepreneurs may try to avoid answers to directly posed questions and delay the decision. Behind this lies the desire to create a certain atmosphere of negotiations, when all secondary issues are agreed upon in advance. Therefore, when concluding major transactions, do not force events.
The Japanese consider every issue scrupulously, attracting as many employees of various departments as possible. This is due to the fact that in Japanese etiquette a decision is made only after discussion by a wide range of interested parties, not only managers, but also ordinary employees participate in the coordination. This sometimes annoys foreigners who do not receive a response to their proposals for a long time.
Communication Features
During negotiations, you must consider the Japanese etiquette of communication. The habitual way of formulating thoughts, which is usual for Asians, can mislead a foreigner. Typically, Japanese entrepreneurs speak out in a florid and ambiguous way. This applies even to simple expressions of consent or denial. For example, Japanese “yes” means not agreeing with you, but only willingness to continue to listen.
The same goes for denial. The Japanese almost never refuse directly, using allegorical expressions. This is done solely in order to maintain at least the illusion of goodwill. In Japanese speech etiquette, it is believed that a categorical refusal can humiliate one of the parties. A sign of good taste is considered to be friendly and correct relations, no matter how opposing the views of the interlocutors.
According to the rules of etiquette in Japan, great importance is attached to establishing informal relations with foreign partners. Often they are based on personal acquaintance, it plays an even greater role than official relations. Important issues that may cause controversy, the Japanese prefer to discuss in bars or restaurants. To, on the one hand, help smooth out possible contradictions, and on the other hand, more freely express criticisms of the opponent.
Tea ceremony
Of great importance in Japan is the tea ceremony. The classic ceremony is held in a specially equipped place. As a rule, this is a fenced area, which leads to a heavy wooden gate. Before the ceremony begins, they are opened wide so that the guest can enter without disturbing the owner who is busy with the preparation.
The tea complex has several buildings in the middle of the garden. Behind the gates is a kind of entrance hall, where you can change shoes and leave extra things. The main building is a tea house. You can get there by going along the path lined with stones. When its holding in the classical version is impossible, the tea ceremony is organized in a special pavilion or even just at a separate table.
Ceremony order
At the beginning of the ceremony, all guests are served hot water in small cups to create a mood associated with the expectation of something important ahead. Before the ceremony, guests from a wooden scoop wash their hands, face, rinse their mouth. It is a symbol of spiritual and bodily purity.
They enter the tea house through a narrow and low entrance, which symbolizes the equality of all who came, and leave the shoes at the doorstep. In the niche opposite the entrance, the owner hangs out a saying that reflects his mood and sets the theme for the ceremony.
While water is heating in the pot, guests are served light food. After a short walk, the most important part of the ceremony begins - drinking thick matcha green tea. The cooking process takes place in complete silence. The owner first cleans all the utensils that will be involved in the preparation.
This is the meditative part of the ceremony. Tea is poured into the tavan, pouring a small amount of boiling water, everything is stirred until a homogeneous mass with a green matte foam is formed. Then add more boiling water to bring the tea to the desired consistency.
The host gives tea to the guests according to seniority. The guest puts a silk scarf on his left hand, takes the bowl with his right hand, puts it on his palm covered with silk and, nodding to the next guest, takes a drink from it. Each of those present repeats this procedure until the cup returns to the owner.
Meal
Japanese etiquette at the table always begins with the phrase, which literally means "I humbly receive." She is an analogue of the domestic expression of "bon appetit." It also means thanks to everyone who contributed to the preparation, cultivation, and hunting.
In Japan, it is not considered impolite not to eat up a meal, but perceived by the owner as your request to offer something else. And eating the dish completely, you make it clear that you are full and do not want anything else. Please note that you need to chew with your mouth closed.
It is considered decent to finish the soup or eat up rice by bringing the bowl to your mouth. Miso soup is generally drunk directly from the bowl without using a spoon. When using soba or ramen noodles, it is permissible to sip.
Bows
Particular importance is given to Japanese bow etiquette. They are called Odzigi. In Japan, nods are considered so important that they begin to teach children from a very young age. Odzigi accompany greetings, requests, congratulations, are used in a variety of situations.
There is a bow from three positions - standing, sitting in European or Japanese. Most of them are also divided into male and female. During the meeting, the younger should be the first to politely bow to the older. Depending on the situation, the duration and depth of the bow are distinguished. In Japan, at least six types of ojigi.
A classic bow is performed by bending the waist in the body with a straight back and arms located on the sides (for men), and hands folded on the knees (for women). During the bow, you need to look in the face of the interlocutor, but not directly in his eyes.
Bows are divided into three main types. Formal, informal, and very formal. Informal bows are usually made by slightly tilting the body and head. With more official odzigi, the angle of inclination of the hull increases to about thirty degrees, and with very official ones - up to 45-90.
Bow rules in Japan are an extremely complex system. For example, if you maintain a return bow longer than expected, you may receive another bow in return. Often this leads to long series of gradually dying down ozigs.
As a rule, apologizing bows are longer and deeper than other types of odzigi. They are produced with repetitions and a tilt of the body of approximately 45 degrees. The frequency, depth and duration of the bows corresponds to the severity of the deed and the sincerity of the apology.
At the same time, while communicating with foreigners, the Japanese often shake hands, sometimes bowing can be combined with a handshake.
clothing
The features of Japan etiquette include clothing. In past times, everyone wore a kimono, but now it is used, most often, by women and only in exceptional cases. Men only wear kimonos during the tea ceremony, during martial arts classes, or at weddings.
In Japan, many courses are opened where they study the history of kimonos, tell how to select samples and fabrics for specific seasons of the year and ceremonies.
In summer, when it’s hot, they wear a yukata (this is a lightweight kimono). It is sewn from cotton or synthetics without using a lining. Yukata was reborn at the end of the 20th century, it is worn by both men and women.
As a rule, fabric for yucat is dyed indigo. At the same time, young people prefer bold patterns and bright colors, while older Japanese people prefer geometric figures in kimonos and dark colors.
Alcohol consumption
Much of the tradition of the Japanese is associated with the use of alcohol. The modern culture in this area is based on three drinks: beer, sake and whiskey.
Two-thirds of the alcohol that the Japanese drink is beer. This share is constantly growing. Beer production in this country began in 1873, and traditions and technologies were borrowed from Europeans. The first brewers to teach the Japanese how to make this alcoholic drink were the Germans. At the same time, Japanese beer is different from European, it has become customary to add rice at the stage of preparation.
Whiskey came to this country from America. The method of its use is quite standard: about a centimeter of an alcoholic drink is poured into a glass, and the rest of the volume is filled with ice or soda. As a result, the strength of such a drink does not exceed ten degrees.
The oldest and almost the only local alcoholic drink is sake. It is drunk in Japan even more often than whiskey. In the etiquette of this country, it is not customary to clink glasses during a feast, nor do they make toasts here, limiting themselves to the phrase “Campai!”, Which literally means “dry bottom”.
Many foreigners say that the Japanese quickly get drunk, apparently, due to the lack of an enzyme responsible for the breakdown of alcohol. Being drunk, the Japanese are not at all embarrassed by this. If a drunk person does not behave aggressively, then even those around him will not condemn him.
It is noteworthy that in Japanese restaurants it is customary to leave a bottle with an unfinished drink under your last name. She will be kept on a shelf behind the counter until your next visit. It happens that the Japanese have stocks of alcohol in several institutions at once.
So weird Japanese
If you are going to visit this country and communicate with its inhabitants, then you definitely need to know about the strangest rules of Japanese etiquette in order not to get into trouble.
In this country, a long look at a person is considered a sign of aggression. Therefore, do not look too keenly at your opponent, this may be misunderstood. There is one more sign: if a person does not look into the interlocutor’s eyes, then he is hiding something. So you need to behave as naturally as possible.
Bad practice in this country is the use of a handkerchief. If you still have a runny nose, it is better to try to hide your ailment from the locals. It is also considered indecent to use napkins.
Going to visit a Japanese, take with you a change of shoes. When you come to someone else's house, you will need to change shoes in clean slippers. The Japanese carry with them spare shoes even for work, change their shoes before going to the toilet.
In Japanese traditions, it is customary to sit only on a carpet. Often, local residents require this rule to apply to foreigners. Correctly sit with your legs bent under you and straighten your back as much as possible.
At the same time, the inhabitants of this country eat only with the help of Hashi. These are special wooden sticks. It’s considered a bad form to point these chopsticks at something or actively gesticulate, holding them in your hands. It is also forbidden to chop pieces of food with chopsticks.
Remembering these rules, it will be easier for you to find a common language with the Japanese, arrange them for yourself, make contact.