When you're newly acquainted with a Japanese person in a professional, mentor/apprentice context, is it normal for the Japanese person (the mentor) address you (the apprentice) formally, such as Mr. Jones (instead of just Joe, for example) until you (the apprentice) offer them the opportunity to address you casually, just as Joe instead of Mr. Jones?
2007-01-30 16:41:07 · 3 answers · asked by bigwoodenhead 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
The title Mr, Miss Mrs are respected title in Japan, later on you can tell them to call you just your name.
2007-01-30 16:50:21 · answer #1 · answered by trykindness 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Unless you ask them to do otherwise, Japanese people will call you "Mr. Jones" until the crack of doom.
On the other hand, if you invite him to call you "Joe", he might feel awkward reciprocating...and yet be too embarrassed to say so!
My advice would be to wait for the Japanese gentleman to make the suggestion; courteous Japanese people observe rules of status that are quite intricate, and I am sure he feels quite natural calling you "Mr. Jones".
2007-01-30 17:28:01 · answer #2 · answered by silvercomet 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I've seen that in action, and yes, it's normal.
2007-01-30 16:50:09 · answer #3 · answered by GreenEyedLilo 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋