Several of the participants in Japan Lowdown’s video mention their discomfort with Japanese manners.
The Japanese language has entirely separate modes of speech set aside for the express purpose of showing politeness, with different words being used to speak up or down the social hierarchy. For the most part, travelers don’t need to worry about mastering this side of the language, since very few Japanese expect to hear foreigners using it anyway. But inevitably you’ll be faced with people expressing seemingly excessive gratitude for small favors rendered, or seeming to thank you for their health and happiness when you’ve only known them a few hours. My advice? Just go with the flow. A smile and a modest shake of the head are all the response you need.
There are whole books devoted to the intricacies of Japanese etiquette, but again no one really expects short-term travelers to be familiar with all the rules. On the other hand, it’s possible to make your hosts uncomfortable without actually offending them, and if you can remember a few basic points of courtesy you’ll be doing everyone a favor.
First, you really should remember not to walk into someone’s house with your shoes on . As for restrooms, waiting rooms, certain restaurants etc., a simple rule of thumb is that whenever slippers are made available, you’re meant to use them.
If you’re visiting someone, or staying in a Japanese home, you really ought to bring a gift . It needn’t be especially elaborate, but even if it is you should downplay its value when giving it to your hosts. Most Japanese, when making such a gift, use a set phrase that can be translated, “ This is something uninteresting .”
As Steve points out in the video, most Japanese try not to blow their noses in front of other people. If you need to excuse yourself to go and blow your nose, please do. The western habit of using a handkerchief and shoving it back into your pocket is especially disgusting for many people.
Table manners you should remember include saying “ itadakimasu ” before eating and “ gochisousama deshita ” when you finish. You shouldn’t jab your chopsticks at someone to drive home a point during conversation, nor should you use them to drag a platter nearer to you. And in case you haven’t heard, planting your chopsticks upright in a bowl of rice is a funeral custom that will truly freak out your more sensitive dining companions. On the other hand, as Wuri from China mentions in the video, noisy slurping of your noodles is just fine.
Another etiquette minefield many visitors may enter is the onsen, or hot springs. If you’re sporting a tattoo, tell the staff before you enter the bath. Many hot springs have a policy banning people with tattoos, to keep out members of the Japanese mafia. They may well make an exception for foreigners, but you should let them know. Make very sure you enter the right dressing room. If you can’t read the characters for “man” and “woman” ask the staff to help. And at the risk of repeating advice you’ve already heard, the baths are for soaking, not washing. You should wash yourself at the separate shower facilities, head to toe and with lots of soap and water, before you go anywhere near the actual baths.
Today’s Japanese are mostly friendly and open, and more than willing to forgive obviously unintentional missteps. If you’re trying to impress a potential business partner, or intend a long stay in Japan, it’s may be worth looking for a good guide to Japanese manners. But for most travelers, a few rules like those given here accompanied by common sense and an awareness of your surroundings will be more than sufficient to get you through your visit.
■Drinking Customs
As early as the third century, Chinese documents made mention of the Japanese fondness for a glass of the hard stuff, and little has changed. Under the cherry trees in spring, on hotel rooftops throughout July and August, and in little bars packed with salarymen almost any night of the year, rivers of alcohol flow.
The etiquette of drinking in Japan is probably no more complicated than in many other countries, but there are a few general rules to remember. For the most part, these only apply if you’re drinking with a group of Japanese. If you’re sitting by yourself at a bar, don’t worry about offending anyone with your uncouth drinking habits.
First, the kanpai. The equivalent of “Cheers,” kanpai means empty glass. Just remember not to empty your glass until everyone else is ready to do the same. Someone will pour a drink for you, but resist the temptation to knock it back until everyone has lifted their glass and pronounced the magic word.
Next, it’s considered rude to pour for yourself . If you finish your drink and you’d like a refill, don’t just grab the bottle and upend it. Wait for someone else to fill your glass. If no one notices your predicament, feel free to gaze imploringly at your empty glass and make pathetic, mewling noises until someone rides to the rescue.
Likewise, if you notice a fellow drinker wandering friendless through the dunes, grab a bottle and help him out.
The only flaw in this system arises when you’ve had your fill, but your companions continue refreshing your glass. At this juncture, you have two options. One is surrender. If you can manage it, keep drinking. The other choice is to find some way to keep your glass from being filled. When someone approaches with a bottle, just say you’ve had enough. They may not listen the first time, thinking your demure display is for appearance’s sake, but if you place your hand over your glass and insist a second (or third) time that you really can’t drink any more, they’ll get the message. Alternately, leave the glass full and take only a tiny sip whenever someone comes around with the bottle so that they can make a token refill and preserve the festal atmosphere.
Fortunately, the one thing you won’t have to worry about in many cases is getting too drunk. Extreme inebriation does not carry the same stigma in Japan that it has taken on in some other places, and very few people here will think less of you the next day if you wind up standing on the table belting out “It’s Raining Men.” Although you may find that your glass is no longer being topped off. Have fun!
Shooting Location: HACHIRO'S BAR
>>Access
Takata Bld. 2F,5-15 Nakamachi, Nakaku, Hiroshima
TEL: 082-246-3086
Bus
Hiroshima Station====(Hiroden bus (green bus No. 3, 4, or 6), 20min.)====Fukuromachi===(on foot, 5 min.)===HACHIRO's BAR
Streetcar
Hiroshima Station====(Streetcar No.1, 25 min.)====Fukuromachi===(on foot, 5 min.)===HACHIRO's BAR
>>Open Hours
6:00 p.m. - 3:00 a.m.
>>Holidays
Sunday
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-Matt Mangham
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