| So, you plan to visit a Japanese home? Well, | | | | theirs. Wearing shoes inside a Japanese home |
| before you do such you must first learn the | | | | is considered unclean. If you are not |
| etiquette in Japanese homes. The Japanese | | | | immediately provided slippers, you can wear |
| home culture revolves around three values: | | | | your socks inside the house. So make sure you |
| courtesy, cleanliness, and graciousness. | | | | are wearing nice and socks without holes! If |
| Learning to apply these values whether in the | | | | you are wearing slippers, remember to remove |
| Japanese context or not benefits you not only | | | | them as you enter a room with tatami mats on |
| as you deal with the Japanese - it will allow | | | | the floor, for slippers could damage these |
| you better dealings and communications with | | | | mats. There are special slippers especially |
| other people as well. | | | | designated for the toilet area, so remember |
| | | | to take off your slippers when entering such. |
| Courtesy. The first thing you have to do is | | | | |
| greet the family. Bowing slightly as you | | | | As in most Asian countries, it is rude to |
| greet them would be the best move, for | | | | blow your nose in front of other people. It |
| shaking hands is still an awkward formality | | | | is especially rude to blow your nose in a |
| in Japan. The lower you bow the more respect | | | | handkerchief and then stuff the handkerchief |
| you give. | | | | in your pocket afterwards. The Japanese use |
| | | | paper tissue when doing such. Excuse yourself |
| If you could bring a small present, do so, | | | | if you feel the urge to do this deed to avoid |
| especially a food souvenir called "omiyage" | | | | offending anyone. |
| in Japan to delight your hosts and | | | | |
| immediately create a warm atmosphere. It is | | | | Graciousness. During mealtimes, the Japanese |
| preferable to bring local culinary | | | | will offer you to try everything served on |
| specialties from your home town or country. | | | | the table. Make sure to amiably try even just |
| | | | a bite of each of the food. Place your |
| During conversations, remember to be more | | | | chopsticks on a special holder and do not |
| subtle than usual with your thoughts and | | | | stick them up in your rice. As opposed to |
| emotions. Compared to people in the Western | | | | Western manners, Japanese slurp noodles. It |
| culture, the Japanese are more reserved | | | | is actually preferred that bowls or plates be |
| during talks. In Japanese discussions there | | | | brought up the mouth when slurping rather |
| is what they call the honne (real opinion) | | | | than bending your head towards it. |
| and the tatemae (public opinion). In most | | | | |
| situations it is the tatemae that is | | | | Of course the Japanese will know and |
| expressed to not disturb group harmony or | | | | understand that you are from another culture, |
| cause any offense. This is why the Japanese | | | | but knowing their traditions before you set |
| are considered bad at public debates. Do | | | | foot on their door helps your visit to go |
| avoid interrupting people when they are | | | | more smoothly. Most Japanese families that |
| speaking or are in the middle of thinking. | | | | host visitors of other races are "spoilers", |
| The Japanese don't mind short periods of | | | | meaning they want to give you everything you |
| silence during discussions. | | | | need in all efforts to please. Hence, always |
| | | | remember to be gracious and please them in |
| Cleanliness. Leave your shoes outside the | | | | return. |
| door, on the spot where others have left | | | | |