Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
will be better received if they look neat and tidy,
while for anyone hoping to do business, a snappy
suit is
de rigueur
. It's also important to be
punctual
for social and business appointments.
Business meetings
invariably go on much
longer than you'd expect, and rarely result in
decisions. They are partly for building up the
all-important feeling of trust between the two
parties (as is the after-hours entertainment in a
restaurant or karaoke bar). An essential part of
any business meeting is the swapping of
meishi
(
name cards
). Always carry a copious supply,
since you'll be expected to exchange a card with
everyone present. If you're doing business here,
it's a very good idea to have them printed in
Japanese as well as English.
Meishi
are offered
with both hands, held so that the recipient can
read the writing. It's polite to read the card and
then place it on the table beside you, face up.
Never write on a
meishi
, at least not in the owner's
presence, and never shove it in a pocket - pop
it in your wallet, a dedicated card-holder, or
somewhere suitably respectful.
sitting cross-legged is fine; otherwise, tuck your legs
to one side.
Meetings and greetings
Some visitors to Japan complain that it's di
cult
to meet local people - the Japanese themselves
famously have problems meeting each other, as
evidenced by regular pay-for-company stories in
the international press, and the legion of “snack”
bars (where local men essentially pay to have their
egos massaged). It's also true that many Japanese
are shy of foreigners, mainly through a fear of
being unable to communicate. A few words of
Japanese will help enormously, and there are
various opportunities for fairly formal contact,
such as through the Goodwill Guides (see p.38).
Otherwise, try popping into a local bar, a
yakitori
joint or suchlike; with everyone crammed in like
sardines, and emboldened by alcohol, it's far easier
to strike up a conversation.
Whenever Japanese meet, express thanks or say
goodbye, there's a flurry of
bowing
. The precise
depth of the bow and the length of time it's held for
depend on the relative status of the two individuals.
Foreigners aren't expected to bow, but it's terribly
infectious and you'll soon find yourself bobbing
with the best of them. The usual compromise is a
slight nod or a quick half-bow. Japanese more
familiar with Western customs might offer you a
hand to shake, in which case treat it gently - they
won't be expecting a firm grip.
Japanese
names
are traditionally written with the
family name first, followed by a given name, which
is the practice used throughout this topic (except
where the Western version has become famous,
such as Issey Miyake). When dealing with foreigners,
however, they may well write their name the other
way round. Check if you're not sure because, when
addressing people
, it's normal to use the family
name plus -
san
: for example, Suzuki-san.
San
is an
honorific term applied to others, so you do not use
it when introducing yourself or your family. As a
foreigner, you can choose whichever of your names
you feel comfortable with; you'll usually have a -
san
tacked onto the end of your given name. You'll also
often hear -
chan
or -
kun
as a form of address; these
are diminutives reserved for very good friends,
young children and pets. The su
x -
sama
is the
most polite form of address.
Japanese people tend to
dress
smartly, especially
in Tokyo. Tourists don't have to go overboard, but
Hospitality, gifts and tips
Entertaining
, whether it's business or purely social,
usually takes place in bars and restaurants. The host
generally orders and, if it's a Japanese-style meal,
will keep passing you different things to try. You'll
also find your glass continually topped up. It's polite
to return the gesture but if you don't drink, or don't
want any more, leave it full.
It's a rare honour to be invited to someone's home
in Japan, and if this happens you should always
take a
gift
, which should always be wrapped,
using plenty of fancy paper and ribbon if possible.
Most shops gift-wrap purchases automatically and
anything swathed in paper from a big department
store has extra cachet.
Japanese people love giving gifts, and you should
never refuse one if offered, though it's good manners
to protest at their generosity first. Again, it's polite
to give and receive with both hands, and to belittle
your humble donation while giving profuse thanks
for the gift you receive. However, it's not the custom
to open gifts in front of the donor, thus avoiding
potential embarrassment.
Tipping
is not expected in Japan. If someone's
been particularly helpful, the best approach is to
give a small present, or offer some money discreetly
in an envelope.
