When I went to Japan 2 years ago, I had little knowledge in the language *but thankfully learning short directive questions got me through*. The language is hard to grasp but the eitquette is the hardest of all. In Japan, etiquette is a must in their country, share your knowledge with everyone.

Never blow your nose in front of people. I don't know why, anyone tells us?
Never use the handkerchief to clean your nose. It's mostly for wiping/cleaning dirt, tears, blood but not snot.
Always dumbdown your intelligences/skill. I think the reason is that they don't like a smart a$$, plus it's rude to be big headed.
Don't pour your own cup, especially alcholic one. Means you're a drunk.
Never leave your chopsticks sticking up in the rice bowl. It's something to do with the offering of Death people.
Never walk on carpet surface with slippers. It kindof links to the shoes, don't wear your shoes indoors, but in this case don't wear slippers on carpet. Don't know why for the reason but I think it's to keep the place clean.
For the girls -->When you laugh cover your mouth. They says it's really ugly if you don't, or something.
For the girls, again ---->Never cross your legs. Don't know the reason but this is the hardest thing that I had to do.

That's all that I can think of. Hope this interests you guys when you go to Japan.

O_O
Girls can't cross their legs but guys can?! Okay, this I never heard before lol. Isn't crossing legs a girl thing to do? lol XD

That's the only one I've heard before :lol:

LOL... I don't know, that's what I read up when I was preparing to go to Japan.

I think it's not lady like to cross your legs. (~__~; )

Remembered a few more...

Always slurp your noodles. It considers acceptable to appreaicate the chef's cooking. :D
When eating rice, you have to scoop the rice into your mouth without touching the bowl.[u] Soup is acceptable for your mouth to touch the bowl.
[u]Don't litter your cigerettes on the floor I accidentally did that and people frowned at me even though I was standing at the smoking area. (TT__TT ) Very bad of me... so I grabbed a tissue and picked it up and thrown in the bin.
Never walk around eating or drinking. They like to enjoy what they have eating/drinking. Carrying it different but it's best to stay stationary.

Hmm.... I guess that's all that I can think of at the moment.

Probably because it seems rude and unsanitary, germs, germs everywhere~!

Plus, the whole chopsticks thing is probably because it looks like when you use incense to pray to people who passed away, at least that's the only thing that pops into my mind.

I already follow half of those etiquettes :lol: . But the whole don't cross your legs thing is :blink: . I'm crossing my legs right now, and it's starting to feel numb :swt .

Hmm... That could be right but I'm totally unsure on that. My friend who worked over there said that a student who had a cold couldn't wipe their nose, unless excused, but she said that whenever she spoke to the student, she could only look at their runny nose. (~__~; ) Poor bugger.

But... you ain't in Japan...aren't you? O_O So you can still cross your legs. :)

actually, the slurping thing isn't 100% correct, from what i remember being told...i thought it depended on the type of noodles...

i _believe_ you are supposed to slurp when eating soba, but not necessarily when eating udon...i'm not 100% certain, but that's what i recall...(and i might have it backwards)

Really? O_o? I thought it's just noodles in general. Very odd. Better find that one out. LOL

You went there 2 years ago? Hmm...you "could" have met YUI when she was still unknown if you went to Fukuoka as well. :P

I'm trying to save up some cash to go to Japan. Any advice on how much it might actually take and what other legal documents I might need?

Yeah it was my birthday pressie and it was the first time I travelled alone, it was a fun and exciting experience in my life. I've been to Tokyo, Kyoto, Takeno, Hiroshima, Takamatsu and Himeji. Fukuoka is further west from Hiroshima but I didn't have time to see all of Japan properly. Mostly sightseeing, shopping and ARCADES!!!!

If you want to travel over there, document wise, there's only travel insurance, for minor problems whilst travelling in Japan, I don't know how much it is because mine cost £80 ($72) but that depends where you are. Visa is already taken care of from the moment you step in (visa for 3 months in stay in Japan) and always take your passport! In Japan, also in other countries, it is best to have ID with you so that they know what you're purpose is. Hmmm... what else... I think the best time to buy the ticket is round about late May/June time. But anything else, be prepared and have fun. :)

Uhhmm, I think someone has already told me about this matter.

When they laugh Japanese women often cover their mouths with their hand. This comes from an old Buddhist notion that showing bone is unclean, as well as a horrendous lack of orthodontics in Japan. If you're a woman you have no obligation to copy this, but you will soon notice how frequently Japanese do this.

That is what someone has told me. Maybe it is so. Sorry. I just got interested in the topic and if it is really possible I wish to post other things Japanese Customs^_^

That's why the thread is here. Everyone can contribute and correct stuff. I did type "share your knowledge with everyone" in the first post :)

There are alot of stuff that I have left out or unheard of, it is very interesting subject. So, thank you for the post :D

Yay! Go me^_^

Eating...
.....In Japan, it is impolite if you pour your own drink. You should pour your companion's drink and let them pour yours.
.....If you don't want to drink anymore, leave your glass full. Leaving your glass empty means you want to have more.
.....Do not use the end of the chopsticks where you eat to dish out food to another. Use the top end. Also, do not use your chopsticks to point at someone.
.....It is normal to pick your bowl and hold it below the chin to keep things from falling.
.....Do not pick napkins, sugar and other stuff "souvineers" when you leave a restaurant.
.....Do not add cream and sugar in your japanese tea.
.....Do not leve stuffs and mess on your plate.
.....Traditional Japanese foods are served in small plates. Its good to alternate dishes than eating one after another.
.....It is good do make noice when gulping your drink. It is used in commercials anyway.
.....In restaurants, they normally pay the bill on the register. Not to the waiters/waitresses. Tipping is not expected.


That's all I know as of now. If I forget something, I'll be posting it the next time anyway. I wish you guys enjoyed it. Sayonara for now minnasan^_^

Omygosh... Canada sucks.

In Toronto, we are expected to pay at least 10% tip to the waiters/waitresses AND pay mandatory tax (GST/PST) on top of that. :huhuhu

Yue
Lucky Yue. I want to go to Japan so badly now. My college friend is in Japan right now. Noooo. *Natalie cries in a corner* Hehe... ooh, you should post some of your pics you took in Japan too. That's if you took any while you were there.

We don't have to pay tips in Malaysia as well. The government added 5-10% of tax in the bill too.

BUT,
We are not expected to pay tips, we are forced to pay another 5-10% for service charge........it's added in the bill.
I'll be very pissed if the service is not good and yet I have to pay the service charge :blink:

As for the etiquette, I cross my legs all the time lol.........

There are even more rules and stuff if you plan to marry a japanese husband.........

First post in here! Anyways...Just gonna add some more.

-Take off slippers if you are to walk on tatami floor.

-Bathes are usually for relaxation, you have to get out of the bath to clean yourself and get inside afterwards. Make sure you don't drain it right after (if you're not alone).

-Sometimes, you have toilet slippers for use in the toilet (Leaving your slippers outside)

-Don't forget the usual...Itadakimasu! before eating and Gochisosama when finished.

-Don't talk about disappetizing stuff while eating, they don't like it.

-Make sure you don't burp out loud.

-Put back the dishes as they were originally put when you're done.

-Hold your chopsticks at the top tip, put them down pointing left if you're not using them.

-Formal sitting order: The most important person sits the furthest from the entrance.

-Crossing legs is for men, women usually sit with legs on the side. Else, anyone sits on seiza position (On your knees/sitting on your feet.)

-Usually, you bow or nod before talking/requesting to someone. If you bow to a person of higher social status, let him rise before you do.

-If you ever give a present, make sure nothing counts to 4 (shi -> death)

-Do not sleep towards North, it's for dead bodies...

-Hide your thumb if you see a funeral car...

-Do not lick your fingers in public.

-Avoid excessive physical or eye contact (While addressing someone, don't point at him/her)

-If you're going to help someone, do so instead of asking. It's polite of them to refuse help.

-The gesture for "Come here" is palm out at the person and raise/lower fingers. Holding your palm up is usually used for animals.


That's about all I know and remember for now...I wanna go there... :huhuhu

Cool, that's also goes for chinese people too. Hehe. Oh, don't give clocks as a present either.

You got an interesting list there, EzakNoKaze.

And I am adding more. ^_^

Everyday Living....

.....In social events, punctuality is not needed. it custom to be "fashionably late". But never be late on bussiness meetings and appointments.
.....If they say work starts at 8 am, they will START AT 8AM.
.....Never chew gums when working.
.....Theres no such thing as "LADIES FIRST"
.....Do not wear jewelries or expensive accesories when working. Also, do not wear very colorful clothes.
.....Its polite to address one's name with "-san" or use "-chan" for young girls and "-kun" for boys but do not use it after yours.
....."Health thing" is not a big issue to them so don't get a scream on why workingplaces and restaurants are filled with smokers.
.....Avoid shouting to get someone's attention. You can wave or go up to them.
.....The Japanese gesture of "Who, me??" is pointing your nose, not chest. The gesture for "no" is fanning your hand sideways in front of your face
.....Never wear tattered clothes when you go out or even socks with holes in other houses.
.....Stay at the left side of escalators when you just want to stand. The right side is for climbing.
.....Dont wear your slippers in tatami mat room. It's customary to sit on the floor in tatami room called washitsu
.....The way of wearing yukata and kimono's is with left side over right side. the reverae is only for deaad on funerals.
.....It's polite to bring some food or drinks when visiting to other houses.
.....Gift giving is important. Extravagant gifts requires equal or slightly higher extravagant gifts in return. Avoid pricey gifts in return.
.....Its also normal to give cash as gifts in funerals, wedding or other ceromonies. Only, it is placed in more special envelopes, with red tie oaround it. Do not use old bills.
.....Complimenting each other promotes goods will but it is alos polite to deny it.
.....Most of the time, it is normal to unwrapped presents once you recieve them. In other cases, it is normal to ask the giver if you can open it now.

Maybe thats all i can add for now. Enjoy^_^

hmm?
what does it really mean by sitting cross-legged?

isn't YUI doing that when she was a street performer?

Maybe most of these are for formal uses?
Like...When you're doing something formal and when you're eating?
Who knows...I don't XD
I mean, most of my japanese friends just cross their legs as if it's normal you know.
Maybe because we're friends? Anyways...I bet they won't if they're wearing skirts/robes or w/e.

I believe most of them are formalities.. They could also be considered "old-fashioned" in western terms..

Although the majority would still be followed, even by young people, there is no one to slap their hand if they don't.. So, like most places in the world, when their parents aren't around, they will act as they please..

lol it would look pretty weird if she sat with her legs on the side or in the seiza position while playing the guitar :lol:

um so if you sit crosslegged, it's considered casual and less formal.
thus, if you're in the presence of another person and it's a formal gathering, you should be kneeling.

this also has to do with the fact that bowing is hard when you're crosslegged.

I heard of this because chinese culture says the same thing! XD Because leaving your chopsticks like that means that the food is for the dead. They offer food to the dead by leaving the chopsticks sticking up. If im not wrong. XD

actually, if i'm not mistaken, slurping is acceptable in the japanese community, since it generally means that you are enjoying the meal that you are having . .

and i think if i ever go to japan, i'll have a very hard time NOT crossing my legs :P

atheon <- yeah . . even though we don't have tips in Malaysia, i still wish they could do away with it . .