JAPAN ETIQUETTE KNOW HOW
Japan etiquette you must know before arrive Japan

Although adhering to rules of etiquette and behavior that can appear overly rigid to outsiders, Japanese are nonetheless delightfully easy to get along with.

According to conventional wisdom, this is for two main reasons: Japanese place great emphasis on tranquility and the appearance of cordiality in interpersonal relationships; and they do not expect non-Japanese to act, or even be able to act, according to their rules.

Japanese are proud of their nation and its accomplishment, and will go to great lengths to ensure that your stay is pleasant and that you leave with a good impression. Moreover, the cultural pride of the Japanese does not, as in some countries, manifest itself in intolerance toward outsiders who attempt to speak their language.

On the contrary, secure in the conviction that non-Japanese can never master it, Japanese welcome the attempts of outsiders to use Japanese, and delighted to act as tutors. Thus, if you are simply courteous and considerate you will get along fine, and if you manage to interject an occasional comment or polite expression in Japanese, your reception will be even warmer. Even thought you are for all practical purposes a functional illiterate, the Japanese will make sure you get what you want or to where you are going.

Although a few do's and don'ts are presented throughout the stay. Simply do relax and have a good time, and don't worry.

There are lots of regional habits in Japan, so you better learn about Japanese custom before your departure to Japan. However, Titan Planet will help you to get ready and furnish you with some basic knowledge. We provide Japanese custom class for you on the orientation day.

Every culture has its own rules regarding etiquette. In the case of Japan, some of these rules are straightforward while others are subtler. One of the basic concepts of Japanese society is tatemae and honne. Honne means your true feelings while tatemae is the face you present to the world. While they do not ignore their feelings, Japanese consider tatemae to be more important in maintaining a harmonious society. A clear example is the different types of language used depending on whom you are talking to. Keigo is respectful Japanese used to elders or superiors. Other things like seating arrangements at dinner or in a taxi are difficult to fathom.

Japanese people tend not to point out mistakes made by foreigners for fear of embarrassing them. At the same time, they don't really expect foreigners to adhere strictly to these rules anyway. But making an effort to be polite and to show at least some understanding of local customs can make life a bit easier.

Meeting for the first time When Japanese people meet for the first time, they say 'Hajime-mashite' which comes from the word hajimeru, to begin. They'll also give their name using the word 'desu' - 'Tanaka desu' - or 'to moshimasu' in a formal situation - 'Tanaka to moshimasu'. Usually they'll bow if the situation is formal or just give a nod of the head otherwise. Bowing is a bit complex - the degree of bowing depends on the formality of the situation and the relationship between the people. But foreigners are not expected to worry about this unless greeting the Emperor or on some such rare occasion. Business people exchange meishi (business cards) and it is polite to use both hands when giving or receiving a meishi. You should read (or look as though your reading!) the meishi and make some vague comment about the company or the address or whatever. It is not polite to immediately stuff the meishi in your trouser pocket or wallet. Visiting someone's home If you have been invited to someone's home, it is polite to bring a gift, usually an inexpensive food item, which should be wrapped. In Japanese, the visitor says 'Tsumaranai mono desu ga', meaning 'This is nothing much but...', similar to the English 'This is just a little something for you.' Every Japanese home has a genkan (hallway), where you take off your shoes and put on slippers provided by the host. Often, if you use the toilet, you'll have to change slippers again. It is quite common for Japanese people to say 'Kondo asobi ni kite kudasai', or 'Please come around to my place sometime' to someone they barely know, but you should be careful. This is often said just out of politeness and there would be a lot of embarrassment if you actually turned up unannounced. It depends on the relationship, but generally this 'invitation' should be taken with a pinch of salt. Eating Most restaurants provide a hot towel for cleaning your hands before eating - very civilized! Before eating, it is customary to say 'Itadaki-masu'. There isn't really an equivalent in English (except maybe 'Bon appetite'?!). It depends on the food, of course, but hashi (chopsticks) are the most widely used implements for eating. It's not impolite to ask for a knife and fork or spoon if you have trouble with chopsticks. Some restaurants may not have them but those serving Western food always do. Chopsticks should not be used for anything other than putting food in your mouth. They certainly shouldn't be used for pointing to someone or moving dishes around the table. And they should not be stuck into a bowl of rice - this is only done at a funeral! There will sometimes be a hashi-oki, or small object to rest the chopsticks on. When eating noodles, such as soba or ramen, it is okay to slurp loudly. In fact, they say it improves the flavor! After a meal, it is polite to say 'Gochiso-sama deshita'. Drinking The Japanese are a quiet and reserved people, except when they're drunk - and most of them get drunk pretty easily. Going drinking with fellow students or coworkers is almost a ritual in Japan. It is considered the best way to break down barriers and cement relationships and behavior can get pretty rowdy. But all is forgiven and forgotten the next day. It is polite to pour other people's drinks and then hold your own glass while your host or friend fills it. Having other people constantly filling your glass can lead to a lot of alcohol disappearing very quickly! The Japanese toast is 'Kampai' (literally 'dry glass'). If you are invited out, it is common for your host to pay the bill, but of course this should be played by ear. Bathing Japan has a long history of communal bathing and a visit to one of its thousands of onsen (hot springs) can be a highlight of any trip. As in the bathroom in a private home, you wash yourself outside the bath before getting into the hot water to soak. It is not uncommon for people to scrub each other's backs. Sento (public bath houses) are quite common as there are still some cheap apartments without their own bathrooms. They cost around 300 yen per visit. You should bring your own toiletries and put your shoes and clothes in the lockers provided. Sento and onsen are almost always separated by sex these days but mixed bathing can still be found in a few places. General Japanese people don't usually use handkerchiefs for blowing their nose. It's very common to see packs of tissues being given out on the street. They're free because they contain advertisements. Eating on the street is considered impolite but has become more common. Spitting and urinating in public (mainly by middle-aged or drunk men) don't seem to raise too many eyebrows.

HOMESTAY LIFE IN JAPAN
A very brief introduction of your homestay life in Japan

Japan is a country where modernization can be found to coexist with traditional culture. This is especially evident in a Japanese home. Your homestay family may own a refrigerator that tells you when you are low on milk or a phone/fax machine that prints out daily recipes using ingredients leftover in your fridge, but you’ll also remove your shoes before entering a room and likely relax on a tatami (straw mat) floor versus sitting on a couch.

Your living accommodations will depend on the host family, however, below are some generalizations on what you might expect to encounter during your stay in Japan.

Most likely, your host family will live in a single-family home, but it is possible that they might live in an apartment building. In either case, space is a luxury and you will be amazed at how efficiently each room is used.

Your bedroom may be small in size with barely enough room for a desk and a bed/futon. Your room may have a tatami floor upon which you would roll out your futon mattress to sleep on each night, and put away during the day, allowing you more space.

Most homes do not have clothes dryers and utilize backyards or balconies in order to dry laundry. Also central air conditioning is not installed in most homes or apartments. Air conditioning units are found in individual rooms, usually in communal areas. The summers are extremely hot, and rainy season in June/July adds to the humidity.

Spending one hour to get from your home stay location to school or work is very common, with commuting fees ranging from 500-1000 yen (between RM16 to RM36). Public transportation in Japan is excellent, allowing you to go anywhere you need to go via trains and/or buses. You’ll find the trains easy to use as most have English explanations. Many people also utilize bicycles to get around.

In most cases, the father of the family is the breadwinner, working Monday-Saturday, from early in the morning often until late at night. It is not unusual for a father to return home long after the rest of the family has enjoyed dinner together. While the father is at work, the mother often stays home to clean, run errands, make meals and take care of the kids. The mother may also have a variety of hobbies, such as volunteer activities, crafts, or learning a foreign language, depending on her schedule. The children in most families, whether younger or older, may be very shy around you at first. Their interactions with foreigners may be very limited and they may hesitate to use English. Many grandparents also live with the family.

Weekends and holidays with your host family may find you enjoying a day at the beach with the whole family, or just with the mother and children if the father is working or wants to relax on his own. The host family is inviting you to live with them, and they may have activities planned for the weekends, or you may be on your own. Communicating your expectations is key to enjoying your time in Japan.

Greeting is the utmost important thing in their life. Always greet your host family when you reach home, say thank you when someone offering you a meal. Ask for permission if you would like to use the computer or TV etc.

Of course each situation will be different and your past experiences and openness to the Japanese culture will determine what you get out of living in Japan. The key to maximizing this experience though is to use and improve your Japanese language skills and to be open to Japan’s cultural traditions. This could be a once in a lifetime experience and you should try to make the most of it.

YOKOSA Japan and have a nice stay...!

Also read: Japan Homestay and Homestay Lifestyle