Japanese etiquette: types, ceremonies, rules of conduct, traditions and national characteristics

2024 Author: Henry Conors | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-12 02:48

Japanese etiquette is an important part of the people of this country. The rules and traditions laid down in ancient times determine the social behavior of the Japanese today. Interestingly, individual etiquette provisions may differ in different regions, change over time, but the key rules remain unchanged. The article details the main modern traditions of this country.

At work

Japanese etiquette is manifested in almost all areas of life. Work is no exception. The existing business etiquette in Japan differs significantly from that which is customary to adhere to in the West and in our country. For example, in a conversation, we are used to the fact that by the reaction of the opponent you can always understand his position on a particular issue. Japanese business etiquette involves listening carefully to the end of the interlocutor, without making any comments, even if they fundamentally disagree with what he says. Japanese can nodyou, but this does not mean at all that he agrees, but only indicates that he understands the meaning of what was said.

If you send a written invitation to a Japanese company with which you have not previously collaborated to join a project, you will probably not receive a response. The Japanese prefer direct contact with partners. In order to establish business relationships, according to business etiquette in Japan, it is recommended to use the practice of dating through intermediaries. In the future, a mediator may come in handy when difficulties arise, as both sides will be able to express their concerns to him without losing face, which is extremely important for representatives of this country.

Business cards play a big role in Japanese etiquette. They must indicate the position and affiliation to a particular company. If you do not give your card back at the meeting, this may be perceived as an insult.

Negotiation practice

The rules of Japanese negotiation etiquette have a number of features. It may surprise a foreigner that at the preliminary stage much attention will be paid to secondary problems. At the same time, Japanese entrepreneurs may try to avoid answering directly posed questions and delay the adoption of a decision. Behind this lies the desire to create a certain atmosphere of negotiations, when all secondary issues are agreed in advance. Therefore, when concluding large deals, do not force things.

The Japanese scrupulously consider every issue, attracting as many employees as possiblevarious departments. This is due to the fact that in Japanese etiquette, a decision is made only after discussion by a wide range of interested parties, not only managers, but also ordinary employees participate in the coordination. This sometimes irritates foreigners who do not receive a response to their proposals for a long time.

Features of communication

When negotiating, Japanese communication etiquette must be taken into account. The habitual way of formulating thoughts for Asians can mislead a foreigner. Usually, Japanese entrepreneurs speak in a florid and ambiguous way. This applies even to simple expressions of agreement or denial. For example, the Japanese "yes" does not mean agreeing with you, but only a willingness to continue listening.

The same goes for denial. The Japanese almost never refuse directly, using allegorical expressions. This is done solely in order to maintain at least the illusion of goodwill. In Japanese speech etiquette, it is believed that a categorical refusal can humiliate one of the parties. A sign of good manners is the observance of benevolent and correct relations, no matter how opposite the views of the interlocutors.

According to the rules of etiquette in Japan, great importance is attached to establishing informal relations with foreign partners. Often they are based on personal acquaintance, this plays an even greater role than official connections. Important issues that can cause controversy, the Japanese prefer to discuss in bars or restaurants. In order, on the one hand, to help smooth out possible contradictions, and on the other hand,the other is to be more free to criticize the opponent.

Tea ceremony

The tea ceremony is of great importance in Japan. The classical ceremony is held in a specially equipped place. As a rule, this is a fenced area to which heavy wooden gates lead. Before the ceremony begins, they are opened wide so that the guest can enter without disturbing the host, who is busy preparing.

The tea complex has several buildings in the middle of the garden. Behind the gate is a kind of hallway where you can change shoes and leave extra things. The main building is the tea house. You can get there by walking along a path made of stones. When it is impossible to hold it in the classical version, the tea ceremony is organized in a special pavilion or even just at a separate table.

Order of the ceremony

At the start of the ceremony, all guests are served hot water in small cups to set the mood for something important to come. Before the ceremony, guests wash their hands, face, and rinse their mouths from a wooden ladle. It is a symbol of spiritual and bodily purity.

They enter the tea house through a narrow and low entrance, which symbolizes the equality of all who come, and leave shoes at the doorstep. In the niche opposite the entrance, the owner hangs a saying that reflects his mood and sets the theme of the ceremony itself.

While the water in the kettle is heating, guests are served light meals. After a short walk, the most important part of the ceremony begins - drinking thick green matcha tea. Processpreparations are made in complete silence. The owner first cleans all the utensils that will be used in cooking.

This is the meditative part of the ceremony. Tea is poured into a teavan, poured with a small amount of boiling water, everything is stirred until a homogeneous mass with a green matte foam is formed. Then more boiling water is added to bring the tea to the desired consistency.

Chavan with tea is served by the owner according to seniority. The guest puts a silk handkerchief on his left hand, takes the cup with his right hand, puts it on the palm covered with silk and, nodding to the next guest, sips from it. This procedure is repeated by each of those present until the bowl returns to the owner.

Meal

Japanese table etiquette always begins with a phrase that literally means "I humbly receive". It is an analogue of the domestic expression "bon appetit". It also means gratitude to everyone who contributed to cooking, growing, hunting.

In Japan, it is not considered impolite not to finish the meal, but is perceived by the owner as your request to offer something else. And by eating the whole dish, you make it clear that you are full and do not want anything else. Please note that you need to chew with your mouth closed.

It is considered proper to finish your soup or finish your rice by bringing the bowl to your mouth. Miso soup is generally drunk directly from the bowl without using a spoon. When eating soba or ramen noodles, it is acceptable to sip.

Bows

Especial importance is given to Japanese bow etiquette. They are called ojigi. In Japan, bowing is considered so important that children are taught bowing from a very young age. Ojigi accompany greetings, requests, congratulations, are used in a variety of situations.

A bow is performed from three positions - standing, sitting in European or Japanese style. Most of them are also divided into male and female. During the meeting, the younger ones should be the first to politely bow to the elders. Depending on the situation, the duration and depth of the bow are distinguished. There are at least six types of ojigi in Japan.

The classic bow is performed by bending the waist in the body with a straight back and arms at the sides (for men) and hands folded on the knees (for women). During the bow, you need to look into the face of the interlocutor, but not directly into his eyes.

Bows are divided into three main types. Formal, informal and very formal. It is customary to perform informal bows by slightly tilting the body and head. With more formal ojigi, the angle of the body increases to about thirty degrees, and with very formal ones - up to 45-90.

The bowing rules in Japan are an extremely complex system. For example, if you maintain a return bow for longer than expected, you may receive another bow in return. This often leads to long series of gradually fading ojigi.

As a rule, apology bows are longer and deeper than other types of ojigi. They are produced with repetitions and a body tilt of about 45 degrees. The frequency, depth and duration of the bows correspond to the severity of the deed and the sincerity of the apology.

At the same time, duringwhile communicating with foreigners, the Japanese often shake hands, sometimes bows can be combined with a handshake.

Clothes

Japanese etiquette also includes clothing. In the past, everyone wore a kimono, but now it is used, most often, by women and only in exceptional cases. Men wear kimonos only for tea ceremonies, martial arts or weddings.

There are many courses in Japan that teach the history of the kimono, how to select patterns and fabrics for specific seasons and ceremonies.

In the summer, when it's hot, they wear a yukata (this is a lightweight kimono). It is sewn from cotton or synthetics, without using a lining. The yukata was reborn at the end of the 20th century and is worn by both men and women.

Typically, yukata fabric is dyed indigo. At the same time, young people prefer bold patterns and bright colors, while older Japanese prefer geometric shapes on kimonos and dark colors.

Drinking alcohol

Much in the traditions of the Japanese is associated with the use of alcohol. Modern culture in this area is based on three drinks: beer, sake and whiskey.

Two-thirds of the alcohol the Japanese drink is beer. This share is constantly growing. Beer production in this country began in 1873, and traditions and technologies were borrowed from Europeans. The first brewers who taught the Japanese to prepare this alcoholic drink were the Germans. At the same time, Japanese beer differs from European beer, init has become customary to add rice at the cooking stage.

Whiskey came to this country from America. The method of its use is quite standard: about a centimeter of an alcoholic drink is poured into a glass, and the rest of the volume is filled with ice or soda. As a result, the strength of such a drink does not exceed ten degrees.

The oldest and practically the only local alcoholic drink is sake. It is drunk in Japan even more often than whiskey. In the etiquette of this country, it is not customary to clink glasses during a feast, and they do not say toasts here either, limited to the phrase "Kampai!", which literally means "dry bottom".

Many foreigners note that the Japanese get drunk quite quickly, apparently, the lack of an enzyme responsible for the breakdown of alcohol affects. Being in a drunken state, the Japanese are not at all shy about this. If a drunk person does not behave aggressively, then even those around him will not condemn him.

It is noteworthy that in Japanese restaurants it is customary to leave a bottle with an unfinished drink under your last name. It will be kept on a shelf behind the counter until your next visit. It happens that a Japanese has stocks of alcohol in several establishments at once.

Such strange Japanese

If you are going to visit this country and communicate with its inhabitants, then you definitely need to know about the strangest rules of Japanese etiquette so as not to get into trouble.

In this country, looking at a person for a long time is considered a sign of aggression. Sodo not look at your opponent too shrewdly, this may be misunderstood. At the same time, there is another sign: if a person does not look into the eyes of the interlocutor, then he is hiding something. So you need to behave as naturally as possible.

It is considered bad manners in this country to use a handkerchief. If you still have a runny nose, it is better to try to hide your illness from the locals. It is also considered indecent to use napkins.

When visiting a Japanese, take a change of shoes with you. When you arrive at someone else's house, you will need to change into clean slippers. The Japanese carry spare shoes with them even to work, change shoes before going to the toilet.

In Japanese tradition, it is customary to eat only while sitting on the carpet. Often, locals demand that this rule also apply to foreigners. Sit correctly with your legs tucked under you and your back as straight as possible.

At the same time, the inhabitants of this country eat only with the help of hashi. These are special wooden sticks. It is considered bad form to point these chopsticks at something or actively gesticulate while holding them in your hands. It is also forbidden to pierce pieces of food with chopsticks.

Remembering these rules, it will be easier for you to find a common language with the Japanese, win them over, make contact.