Yamada: How do you do? I'm Hiroko Yamada. Nice to meet you. 
Kimura: I'm Ichirou Kimura. Nice to meet you. 
Yamada: Are you a student? 
Kimura: Yes, I am. 
Yamada: What is your specialization? 
Kimura: Economics. Are you a student, too? 
Yamada: No, I'm a secretary. 
Kimura: I see.

Sitting

The Japanese have traditionally sat on tatami (a padded straw mat) at their homes. However, many homes today are completely Western style and don't have Japanese style rooms with tatami. Many young Japanese are no longer able to sit properly on tatami.

The proper way of sitting on tatami is called seiza. It is to bend the knees 180 degrees tuck your calves under your thighs and sit on your heels. This can be a difficult posture to maintain if you are not used to it and requires practice, preferably from early age. It is considered polite to sit seiza style on formal occasions.

Another, more relaxed way of sitting is cross-legged (agura). Starting with legs out straight and folding them in like triangles. This posture is usually for men. Women would usually go from the formal to an informal sitting posture by shifting their feet just off to the side (yokozuwari).

Though most Japanese do not concern themselves with it, it is proper to walk without stepping in the edge of the tatami.

Beckoning

The Japanese beckon with a waving motion with the palm down and the hand flapping up and down at the wrist. Westerners may confuse this with a wave and not realize they are being beckoned. Although this gesture (temaneki) is used by both men and women and all age groups, it is considered rude to beckon a superior this way.

Maneki-neko is a cat ornament that sits and has it's front paw raised as if it is calling for someone. It is believed to bring good luck, and displayed in restaurants or other business in which customer turnover is important.

Indicating Yourself

The Japanese point to their noses with a forefinger to indicate themselves or to ask, "Who, me?"

Banzai

"Banzai" literally means ten thousand years (of life).It is shouted in happy occasionswhile raising both arms. People shout "banzai" to express their happiness, to celebrate a victory, to hope for longevity and so on. It is commonly done together with the large group of people.

Foreign people seem to confuse "banzai" with a war cry. It is probably because the Japanese soldiers shouted "Tennouheika Banzai" when they were dying during World War II. In this context what they meant was "Long live the Emperor" or "Salute the Emperor".

Knowing how to bow in Japan might help you while you are traveling. Bowing (ojigi) is a very important custom in Japan. Japanese people bow all the time. Most commonly, they greet each other by bowing instead of handshaking. It is impolite not to return a bow to whoever bowed to you. Japanese people might be uncomfortable with any physical forms of contact although they might be used to shaking hands with westerners.

Bowing has many functions in one. It expresses the feeling of respect, thanking, apologizing, greeting, and so on. It's a convenient and important custom for you to learn. You can bow, when you say, "Thank you", "Sorry", "Hello", "Good bye", "Congratulations", "Excuse me", "Good night", "Good Morning", and more.

Let's begin learning how to bow properly in Japan. Bowing seems simple, but there are different ways of bowing. It depends on the social status or age of the person you bow to. If the person is higher status or older than you are, you should bow deeper and longer. It is polite to bow, bending from your waist. Men usually keep their hands in their sides, and women usually put their hands together on their thighs with their fingers touching. If it is a casual situation, you can bow like nodding. The most frequent bow is a bow of about 15 degrees. You might feel strange to do it, but try to bow in Japan. You will be considered very polite.

Vinkende 

Japaneren vinker med et bølgende beslutningsforslag med palmen ned og hånden der flagrer op og ned ved håndleddet. 

Vesterlændinge kan forveksle dette med en bølge og ikke indse de bliver vinket. 

Selvom denne gestus (temaneki) bliver brugt af begge mænd og kvinder og alle aldersklasser, bliver det anset for ubehøvlet at vinke en chef denne måde. 

Maneki-neko is en katdekoration der sidder og har det er forrest pote løftede som om det er ved at kræve nogen. 

Det bliver troet at bringe held og lykke, og vist i restauranter eller anden forretning i hvilken kundeomsætning er vigtig. 

At indikere dig 

Det japanske punkt til deres næser med en pegefinger at indikere sig eller at spørge, "hvem, = mig?

Banzai 

"Banzai" bogstaveligt means ten tusind år (af liv). 

Det er shouted in glad occasionswhile der avler begge arme. 

  Peopleråb "banzai" at udtrykke deres lykke,  to fejrer en sejr, at håbe på sejlivethed og så videre. 

  It bliver almindeligt gjort sammen med den store gruppe af folk. 

Udenlandske folk synes at forveksle "banzai" med et kampråb. 

Det er sandsynligvis fordi de japanske soldater råbte "Tennouheika Banzai" når de var ved at indfarve under 2. verdenskrig. 

I denne kontekst hvad de betød var "Lang Stavelse Live den Kejser" eller "Salut den Kejser". 

At vide hvordan at bøje i Japan måske hjælper dig mens du er ved at rejse. 

At bøje (ojigi) er en altafgørende skik i Japan. 

Japanske folk bøjer hele tiden. 

Mest almindeligt, hilser de hinanden ved at bøje i stedet for håndrysten. 

Det er uhøfligt ikke at returnere en bov til hvem end respekteret dig. 

Japansk folk er måske ubekvemt med nogen som helst fysiske forme kontakt selvom de bliver måske brugt til skælvende hænder med vesterlændinge. 

At bøje har mange funktioner på én gang. 

Det udtrykker fornemmelsen af respekt, der takker, undskyldende, hilsende, og så videre. 

Det er en belejlig og vigtig skik for dig at lære. 

Du kan bøje, når du siger, "Tak", "Sølle", "Hallo", "Farvel", "Tillykke", "Undskyldning me", "Godnat", "Good Morning", og mere mere. 

Hindrings begynde at lære hvordan at bøje forsvarligt i Japan. 

At bøje virker enkel, men der er forskellige måder af bukken. 

Det afhænger af den sociale status eller alder af personen du bukker til. 

Hvis personen er højere status eller ældre end du er, burde du bøje mere dybereliggende og længere. 

Det er høfligt at bøje, bøjende fra din talje. 

Mænd beholder sædvanligvis deres hænder i deres sider, og kvinder kombinerede sædvanligvis deres hænder på deres lår med deres fingre det at røre ved hinanden. 

Hvis det er en uformel situation, kan du bukke som nikken. 

Den mest hyppige bue er en bov af ca. 15 grader. 

Du føler måske mærkelig for at gøre det, men forsøge at bøje i Japan. 

Du vil blive anset for meget høflig.

ANGER

Japanese are said to be people who don’t express their feelings to other people. The emotion of Anger might be the most typical one that Japanese are apt to hide. Japanese fear conflict and quarrels produced by expressions of anger, because harmony with people around them is a first priority in Japan. Even if they get angry at their situation or at an opponent, Japanese keep their faces blank.


1. Anger against a senior
If a boss grumbles at an inferior, the inferior would not express anger against the boss. They will incline their head and heave an audible sign. Many Japanese don’t express anger, especially at their seniors.

2. Anger against a stranger
If a stranger steps on a man’s feet in a crowded bus, he might say “chotto!” (hey!), but generally a Japanese would only give a cough and dart an angry look at the stranger. Japanese hesitate to complain against strangers.

3. Anger against an equal
If a woman’s boyfriend breaks his promise of a date, most women would express their anger outspokenly. She may hit him good and hard. In this case, there are no differences between Japan and the west any more.


4. Anger against a junior
For example, the boss may say ”iikagen ni shiro!”(come off it!”) when he calls down a junior. The boss might thump the table angrily. In this situation the boss does not resist expressing his anger.

5. Anger against a family member
When parents scold their child for being lazy, they would say ”kora!” (stop that!) to train tha child strictly. The relationship between parents and child is the closest, so they express their emotions frankly.


Japanese are apt to hide their emotions, however, in recent years Japanese are adjusting the degree and way of expression of anger. Japanese hardly express their anger straight to superiors and strangers; they hold their feelings in, so as not to make waves between themselves and others. On the other hand, Japanese express their anger straight, like westerners, to equal and close people.

Vrede 


Japansk siges at være mennesker, som ikke give udtryk for deres følelser for andre mennesker. De følelser af vrede kan være den mest typisk en, at japanerne er egnet til at skjule. Japansk frygt konflikter og skænderier produceret af udtryk for vrede, fordi harmoni med mennesker omkring dem er en første prioritet i Japan. Selv hvis de bliver vrede på deres situation eller på en modstander, japansk holde deres ansigter tomt. 


1. Vrede mod en højtstående 
Hvis en boss brokkerier på en mindreværdige, de ringere ikke ville udtrykke vrede mod boss. De vil hælde deres hoved og hive en akustisk signal. Mange japanske ikke udtrykke vrede, især på deres seniorer. 

2. Vrede mod en fremmed 
Hvis en fremmed trin på en mands fødder i en overfyldt bus, han kan sige "chotto!" (Hey!), Men generelt et japansk ville kun give en hoste og dart en vred kigger på den fremmede. Japansk tøve med at klage over fremmede.

3. Vrede over for en lige 
Hvis en kvindes kæreste bryder sit løfte om en dato, de fleste kvinder ville udtrykke deres vrede outspokenly. Hun kan slå ham godt og hårdt. I dette tilfælde er der ingen forskelle mellem Japan og vest mere. 


4. Vrede mod en junior 
For eksempel er chef må sige "iikagen ni Shiro!" (Komme ud for det! "), Når han kalder en junior. Boss kan dundre tabellen vredt. I denne situation boss ikke modstå at udtrykke sin vrede. 

5. Vrede over for et familiemedlem 
Når forældre bebrejde deres barn for at være dovne, de ville sige "kora!" (Stop det!) At uddanne THA barn strengt. Forholdet mellem forældre og barn er det tætteste, så de giver udtryk for deres følelser ærligt. 


Japansk er egnet til at skjule deres følelser, men i de seneste år japanske tilpasser omfanget og måde at udtrykke vrede. Japansk næppe udtrykke deres vrede lige til foresatte og fremmede; de ligger inde med deres følelser på, så vi ikke gøre bølger mellem sig selv og andre. På den anden side, japansk udtrykke deres vrede straight, som vesterlændinge, lige og luk mennesker.

Counting on one's fingers

When Japanese count on their fingers they use only one hand. Counting from one through five starts with the thumb, then proceeds to the pinky. Each finger is folded down as it is counted. Six through ten are counted on the same hand in the reverse order, opening the fingers as they are counted. This is the most common method used in Japan regardless of age or sex.

When indicating numbers to another, a Japanese person will raise his/her palm, facing the other person, and raise the appropriate fingers starting with the forefinger, middle finger, ring finger, and pinky. The thumb is used last, and the second hand will be added for numbers over five.

Social Customs

Social no-no's

The follow is selection of activities that are not done in public in Japan. Although these behaviors are seen as being rude by Japanese standards you, as a foreigner, should not worry too much about adhering to them as it is not expected of you.

1) It is considered a shameful act to kiss in public.

2) Hugging is considered impolite in Japan, as is any other sort of physical contact. 

3) Chewing gum: doing this in front of someone is not excepted, but smoking in front of someone is. It is also considered rude to be the only person eating something.

4) One should always take off their shoes when entering a Japanese house or restaurant (you will most often be supplied with slippers). This is one that foreigners should observe.

5) Of all of the above this may seem the strangest to foreigners: It is considered rude to look into the kitchen of a house that one is visiting.

6) This may be the most pleasant to foreigners (especially Americans): Civil court proceedings are avoided as Japanese emphasize relationships based on trust rather than contracts. Therefore most problems of a civil nature are discussed through third party mediation. The only time one goes to court is when there is no hope of maintaining a relationship between two parties. It is interesting to note that the number of lawyers in Japan is one-fiftieth of that in America.

Xs and Os

Os and Xs have a special meaning in Japan. The circle's symbolic meaning covers such things as: correct, passing, winning, and OK. The X's symbolic meaning has a less positive use. The X is used to express defeat, failure, mistakes, and rejection. The use of the Os and Xs is not merely limited to physical gestures, one can also find them in writing. An example of this would be a true false test where O=true and X=false.

When one forms the circle, one uses both the thumb and forefinger, or on can raise one's arms above one's head so that one's fingers are touching. The X is formed by crossing forefingers, or by making an X with one's arms. Sometimes when someone makes the X signal it is followed by the word "dame," which means bad, or no good.