im going to go to japan can someone tell me the things i SHOULDNT do?

Question

i am going to japan this next year and i was wondering what i shouldnt do and well the japanese make fun of me because im american please someone help me out i would like to know what im getting myself into BUT i would still love to go so try not to scar me off haha

Answer 1

First off, don't listen to most of the people on this list. The Japanese people are exceedingly polite and they don't expect gaijin (foreigners) to understand and be able to follow in intricacies of Japanese etiquette. Still, you have the choice for being a good gaijin and a bad gaijin. Showing a few basic good manners and understanding of the culture will go a very long way.

When going out to eat, never stick your chopsticks straight up in a bowl of rice (this looks like the incense sticks that are used to honor the dead). Also, never pass food from one person's chopsticks to another person's because this again looks like funeral ritual (chopsticks are used to handle the bones after a cremation). Show basic good table manners (no biting your fingernails or picking your nose).

When you sit down, you'll be offered a damp cloth (called an oshibori). It should be used to wipe your hands off and then folded neatly next to your plate to be used as a napkin. If you really want to impress people with good manners, before eating your meal, it is customary to say "Itadakimasu,"> (giving thanks for your food). Afterwards you finish eating say "Gochisosama deshita". When sharing a plate with other people, take what food you want onto your own dish before eating. And it's considered rude to go picking for the best bits on a common plate.

If you go out drinking with, it's customary to pour for other people and have them pour for you, not to pour for yourself. Toast with a hearty "Kampei!"

In traditional Japanese baths or at hot springs (called onsen), the tub or pool is used for soaking and relaxing, not for washing. Use the shower facilities first (or a bucket of water from the bath if that is what is available). Wash yourself thoroughly and make sure all soap is rinsed off before stepping into the bath. Don't be afraid to share your bath, as in just about every place I saw, the baths are segregated by gender so you don't have to worry about being naked in front of strange men.

When entering a Japanese home, temple, inn, etc., shoes are ALWAYS taken off before entering the house to prevent dirt from the outside being tracked in. This is probably the biggest issue that you will not be granted any leeway, even as a foreigner. Most places will have an entryway called a genkan where you can slip off your shoes and store them away. You will be offered slippers to wear inside. These are used only to walk on the wooden floors. If you are entering a tatami room, always take off the slippers first and only walk on the tatami in your socks. It's a good idea to make sure that your socks are clean and have no holes in them.

Also, when you go to the bathroom, you'll probably find another set of slippers there (usually rubber). If you do, change out of the house slippers into the bathroom slippers when you go in, and change back when you come out. The Japanese people are extremely mindful of keeping dirt confined and not bringing it into the rest of the house.

When identifying yourself, just use your name. NEVER apply the honorific "san"> when speaking about yourself. But when addressing someone else, it is OK to use any of the common honorifics (-san, -kun, -chan) depending on your relationship. If you are addressing a superior of any type (boss, teacher, etc), use "san" after their family name as a sign of respect. Remember than in Japanese, the family name is said before the given name though they will probably expect your given name first if you're not speaking Japanese.

When given change after making a purchase, it's considered rude to stand there and count it. Japanese businesses pride themselves on good service and counting your change in front of the cashier implies that you think they are trying to cheat you. And in restaurants, do not try to pay the waiter or leave the money on the table. Bring your bill to the cashier to pay (this is done in even the most expensive places, though in those restaurants the one hosting the meal will be asked to discreetly leave the table to pay).

Don't expect everyone to speak English. Though just about everyone studies English in school, how well they actually speak the language varies greatly. You'll generally find that young people who are still in school can speak it a bit better, and I found a number of elderly gentlemen who could speak English well. Trying to speak some basic Japanese will go a long way in helping you along and you'll generally find that people are very willing to help if you need it (I had more than a few people go out of their way to lead me to my destination when I got lost).

As I said, the Japanese people will be very forgiving of mistakes since they don't expect you to understand their customs so well, but it's nice to be able to show them that you are trying to meet them half way. There are some very good websites that will go into a lot more detail than I could here.

http://www.geocities.com/japanfaq/FAQ-Manners.html
http://www.japancorner.com/etiquette.asp
http://www.jref.com/culture/japanese_manners_etiquette.shtml

Have a great trip!

Answer 2

Well, allow me to talk about the second part of your question first. No, the Japanese will NOT make fun of you just because you are American. If you are doing a home stay in a Japanese home, they will go out of their way to make you feel comfortable. Generally speaking, Japanese like Americans. Don't worry about them associating you with all the mess that the military is causing around at the different bases in Japan. But I wouldn't recommend you openly voicing your support for the military bases. That would be a problem. If you are coming on an exchange program, the students you meet will also go out of there way to speak to you. It almost will feel like you became an instant celebrity. But that will wear off in a few weeks (if you are staying for more than a few weeks). Within a month, you will have formed your core of friends and spend most of your time with them. The group mentality is very strong, in cases, the most predominant Japanese trait, so I would recommend trying to be friends with everyone. Go ahead and allow that core of friends to develop. Japanese can be downright vicious if you offend them though, so be careful. If you observe common social manners, you should be fine.

If you are coming to teach, you will have fun, but you will be worked hard. If you are nice, your students will invite you out and you will have a great time with them. Again, for a while, you will enjoy the celebrity status. That is until another new teacher comes. Then you will sort of fade into the woodwork.

Now, for the first part. Basically, don't overplay the fact that you are a foreigner, they know you are a foreigner. If you do that, you will seem like you are trying to take advantage of your foreigner status. That would definitely work to your disadvantage. Don't be loud and overbearing. That just rubs the Japanese the wrong way. The funny thing is, they won't tell you to your face that they don't like you so be sure you know your place. If you do a home stay, relax, but don't make yourself too "at home". No feet on the tables, shoes in the house, etc. If you just watch and learn, and copy what the Japanese people are doing, you will be fine. And that in no way diminishes your individuality or Independence. One of the most important prohibitions is to not push your American values on the Japanese. There is a latent attitude that since the Japanese culture is over 2000 years old they know more that Americans, who's culture is only a few hundred year old, so if you use the phrase, "...but in America we do it this way." With out being asked. OUCH, that could be a potiential flash point. Accept the fact that you are in Japan, and "When in Japan, do as the Japanese do." But, only to the point that you do not compromise your personal beliefs. For example, if you are a vegetarien, don't eat meat just because everyone else is. Stay true to your own values. Just don't impose them.

Basically, just be yourself. Don't be the stereotypical obnoxious American they see in movies and you will be fine.

Either way, I am sure you will have a great time. Take a lot of pictures!

Best Wishes.

Answer 3

You will quickly learn that there is a fine dividing power in the ream of gender. Women are not second class citizens, but they rarely if ever argue with the men in their lives. A mans word is traditionally law within the household. Do not take this as a bad thing, the women derive their power from their man and have the most influence on their decision making.

Additionally, they have a high Alcoholism rate. They eat very little meat, even though they have McDonalds, which reminds me. They have the best Mickey Ds in the world!

And remember no matter what they say, no matter what they do, they believe they are from the land of the God's and that you are not. Which means that you are less than they. Don't take it badly, because if I had my druthers, I would live there until my dying days! I love Japan, the culture, the work ethic, the history, and the people. But you will always be a Gaijin or foreigner. Might I suggest you read the James Clavell novel Shogun. It is a big book, but a great story and you will come to understand the historic mindset of some of the worlds most misunderstood people.

Answer 4

here is a web site that is amazing...it is not a free service, you do have to pay for the report...but what is $50 bucks or so to make your trip to Japan the best possible experience?!
BTW I dont know wxactly what the fee is...I was just guessing.


I have heard great things about this site.

Here is one of the excerpts from the site-

Culture Briefing: Japan

"The Japanese are extremely polite, so much so that they avoid speaking frankly, believing it discourteous. They will generally avoid a direct statement that might offend. Seldom do they give a direct 'no.' And they do not give answers or make statements that they feel would disappoint the listener or cause themselves to lose face. They have a nonconfrontational society, and people favor harmony over candor."

— excerpted from Culture Briefing: Japan


http://www.culturebriefings.com/Pages/pubstore/pscbja.html

If you use it let me know how it works for you!

Happy travels!

Answer 5

When I was in their school, that was a very big private school. There are clinic(for emergency), swimming pool, room for learning to cook, hostel and etc in that school. Their school look quite similar like the school in anime. I have to take off my shoes and walked with sandal in some places when my host told me to. At home it was very warm. We played games and watched the television together. In Japan, guest is always served at first. At home, I was the first to shower followed by father and so on. They are always very punctual. They eat rice and beef often. Rice is served with miso soup. They drink green tea. However the youngster may prefer soft drink. When addressing someone, add 'san' after his name. When presenting your name card or receiving a name card from someone, make sure the card is not reverse, don't cover the name with fingers, hold with two hand and read it after you received it. Put the card in pocket is impolite to that person. You should instead put it in a case. Speak 'tata ima' if you back home, 'itadakimasu' before you eat and 'gochisosama deshita' after eat. Anata, kimi and omae are used rather little in Japanese. Using such words sometimes sounds disrespectful, and people will commonly address each other by name, title and honorific even in face-to-face conversations

Answer 6

-Eating and drinking while walking.

-Talking loudly.

-Acting very strange.

-Facial hair is usually looked down upon.

-Being very high maintainance

-Sweating nobody sweat at all so carry a rag and an UCHIWA

-Looking too different, so if you have very bright colored clothes then go shopping for some duller colors.

-Carrying a map or camera or other tourist devices externally.

-Going to tourist places alone, get a friend to show you around that is Japanese.

-Opening the door for others

-Putting soy sauce on white rice

-Drinking a lot of coke or other unhealthy bi-products of American cuisine.

-NOT SLURPING It is a sign of showing that the food is good (noodles and soup only, NOT TEA!)

-Giving tips is like saying you are better than the person you give it to.

This site is great!!!! http://www.japan-guide.com/forum/quereadisplay.html?0+18681

Answer 7

do not spit, especially in front of someone. Do not disprespect anyone. Stay out of the back streets. Watch out for pick pockets. I watched 2 ladies get thier purses stollen and a man get a camara stollen. I am not kidding all in 10 min. I really had no problems. I am 6/1 with long hair and tat's so I kept having guys coming up t me saying " hey you rock and roll" and taking my pic. I was treated like a rock star.

Answer 8

When you use chopsticks, don't stick them into the rice standing up. Very bad manners.

Answer 9

Never pass things with just one hand cos it's consider rude use both hands (don't know why)

Answer 10

Saki is your enemy. Eat only foods you can recognize. Never volunteer to show a Japanese male your thong line.

And, above all else, learn the language and exchange rate.