9 Examples of Japanese Etiquette That All Of Us Should Learn

• 11:59 pm September 18, 2020
• suhas

Japan is one of the most popular countries for exceptional quality of life. So how do they get it? To understand that, we need to understand the way Japanese people live their lives. Here are some examples of the etiquettes they follow that even we should learn!

The art of sitting properly

If you are in Japan, you can just sit randomly however you want. It'll just not work if you think about it. To sit by folding one’s legs underneath one’s thighs is called “seiza,” and the Japanese sit on the floor only in this way.

Giving Gifts

Here's another thing about Japan, it has an extremely strong gift culture. The culture of giving gifts is very strong here and there are 2 special gift-giving seasons each year: o-chugen (in summer) and o-seibo (in winter).

Taking leave

We are not talking about applying for leaves, it is about somebody taking your leave. In Japan, a customer or business partner is almost a god and is treated with incredible respect. When they leave, the whole company follows them to the door or elevator and keeps bowing until the doors are closed. Now that's great manners!

Rules In Subway

There are certain rules that you are expected to follow while travelling in the subway. Forget about talking loudly, talking in general is sort of not allowed in the subway, not even on your phone. Also, it’s impolite to stare at others.

Touching without consent

It is extremely rude to touch anybody without their consent in the country. You won't really see unnecessary hugging in the country.

Drinkers

Japanese are hard workers. They work really hard in the morning and then like to drink in the night. Also, Japanese drink as heavily as they work hard. A local professor can drink with his students, and then they will drag him home. An exemplary clerk who bows to his business partner during the day can get drunk at a karaoke bar and vomit on his suit. And this is normal.

Also read: 11 Examples of Japanese Etiquette That Would Drive Us Crazy

No Show Off

Just like tons of other things, showing off your money is also looked down upon in Japan. So do not do it!

Bowing

So there are different bows for different occasions. They are as follows:

-The greeting bow (“eshaku”) of 15° is for people of equal business or social rank.

-The respectful bow (“keirei”) of 30° is a bow for a teacher or a boss.

-The deeply reverent bow (“saikeirei”) of 45° should be used if you apologize or see the emperor.

-The “begging for your life” bow is probably only used nowadays if you have done something really terrible.

Elevator rules

Now here are some simple elevator rules that are unwritten but widely followed in Japan. If you are the first to enter an empty elevator, you become the elevator captain, and you should stand close to the control panel. You’ll need to hold the door open until everyone has entered the elevator. It is just considered good manners to follow it!