Japanese has an etiquette which they would shake their hands whenever they meet someone. Some of them even have the habit of bowing when they meet. A slightly bow is to show courtesy to the person they meet. These manners and greetings are highly appreciated by the Japanese.
For the Japanese, a person can be judged by their behavior especially during meals. For the business people, they would normally head to a restaurant for a meet up. It could be breakfast, lunch, tea breaks or dinner.
There are a few action which are bad manners and should be avoided during meals. For example, blowing your nose at the table or burping.
Besides that, Japanese would always wait for the most important guest to start up the meal before they do so. It is to show that they respect the elderly. But as the honored guest, you are to wait for everyone to be ready before you start eating.
Other than that, Japanese are to refill everyone's cup if their cups are getting empty. We're suppose to fill everyone's beverage as it is customary to serve everyone. When a Japanese offers you a drink, you are to hold you cup to let him fill your cup.If you do not want it, fill your cup with water or cover your cup with your hand.
In order to show respect, body language is very important in Japan. This practice was thoroughly rooted in each and everyone's personality at a very young age.
Nodding seems like a small thing to us. But to the Japanese, nodding is very important. When we listen to a Japanese speak, we are to nod or head to show that we are listening and understands what they say.
Other than nodding, silence is a respecting and prospective form of non-verbal communication. They do not extend eye contacts, like staring. Because eye contact is a rude movement for them. Besides that, Japanese do not show any love emotions in public. For example, kissing and hugging.
Sitting is also an important respect to them. They are to sit erectly with both feet on the floor and will never sit with an ankle over their knee.
Here's a video as an example for body language:
CONCEPT OF TIME.
In Japan, sense of time is much more important than economic notion. In the past, Japan was not a very technological country and is poor as well. This country is relatively late in modernizing but is fast to do so.
Working is everything for the Japanese. They like to make everything well-planned and put them in an orderly manner. Their commitment to their company does not have any rigid on when to start and end their work; it is a never-ending responsibility. Of course, they do it as diligent as they can and never put themselves in to off day for any excuses or personal reasons.
Since they are all used to being occupied, their mind are emerged to a concept called Nichiyoy byou or ''Sunday Disease" and Kyuujitu byou or "The Holiday Syndrome". They work for long hours everyday. In their common sense, time cannot be wasted and they do not have any leisure time to waste. Therefore, everything they do are to be valued.
If you have got a meeting with a Japanese friend, it usually turns out into a promise. They will take down the date in their calender and will not simply change their plans. During primary school, they are trained to be punctual. For example, if you're late for an activity for 5 minutes, they would tell you it's okay. But in their heart, they will not be happy of it. And if you are always late, they might not ask you out anymore.
In case you know you'll be late, you must give them a heads-up. Give them a call or text message to inform them how late you'll be so they can expect how long they have to wait.
STATUS AND WEALTH.
There are 2 types of figures of Japan's wealth, gross national assets and net national assets.
For the gross national assets, Japan reports a figure of 7954 trillion yen ( $103 trillion ), but claims their liabilities of 5242 trillion ( $68 trillion ) for a net 2712 trillion in 2009.
Japan was in the fortune ranked the world's most affluent countries on year 2011. Japan was the fifth.
Japan is somehow amazingly prosperous. The first thing you'll notice when you go to Japan is clean and clear. You won't even get to see a cigarette butt on the road or station. Japan has a per capital income compared to United States.
Property bubble burst in year 1990. It largely prevented the excess in housing markets and derivative that cause serious credit problems in the United States in year 2008.
The Japanese seem to have discover their national can be achieved even with declines in the relative economic prosperity. The status in Japan is based on their relationship between individuals or other relationships of social dependency between those unequal status.
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As for the status of maturity of age is essential. The Japanese believes that maturity comes from wisdom. Education is part of the status symbol, especially when they are obtained from a well-known institution.
Women are stands a very important status in Japan. Women could inherit properties with their own name unlike those conservatism countries like Arab or India. The notion express women with a proverbial phrase as a "good wife, wise mother" is believe to influence about the gender roles.
In the twentieth century, women's opportunity in getting education have increase. The world has changed and educated women are emerging. Japanese women are now seeking for working chance without getting married.
Relative status can define most of the social interactions. Seniority in gender or age, education and places of employment are now a common distinctions that gives guide in interaction.
To avoid errors in their traditional etiquette, Japanese may not want to interact with strangers from other countries. The Japanese language has means to express different status. It also contribute to the assumption in hierarchy is natural and verb endings are regularly used to express relationships of superiority of inferiority. Men and women are employed in different speech patterns as women are much more politer than men. There are certain words that are identified with feminine and masculine speech.
SYSTEM OF VALUES.
- Respect and Politeness
Japanese is a very polite race as they always treat people in good manner. It does not matter them whether they treat you with their heart or not. Even if there's stranger, enemy or tourist, the Japanese will still be polite to all. Besides, they respect people especially the elderly. Not only to respect, they will also care about them.
- Collectivism and Consensus
Although it's a leader who makes all the decision, they would also listen and considerate the opinion of the people who are involved. Their collectivism are teamwork are much more important than a individual's capacity. This is because they realize that teamwork is always a better choice than an individual's work. That's why they are easy to get consensus with each other.
- Behave Accordingly to Status
Japan's business culture are different compare to other countries. Japan is a society that is vertical and well-disciplined. Their relationships are due accordingly to what position they're placed. For example, American's concept is based on equality.
Although their concept is different, but in Japan, employers are like parents while the employees are like children. Therefore, employees in Japan are very loyal to their company which is a good virtue for the Japanese.
RESPECT FOR AUTHORITY.
When we describe about respect in Japan, the very first thing that comes to our mind is that Japanese always bow sincerely and would greet each other. This action or respect has been taught since they were in a young age. They are to show different respects to people from different level as they grow up.
Although the cosmopolitans will shake their hands but still, the Japanese would bow and shake at the same time. For example, a bow to a classmate may consist a quick 30 degree bow, where as a longer bow may be used for a superior at work. This is why parents have the important job to authorize their child in manners.
- Queue
Queuing up is an important culture for the Japanese as they are taught since they are young. Queuing somehow become part of their life style as they would queue whenever they go. The Japanese would queue in an orderly manner and would not push each other or any other 'undignified' behavior.
No matter where they are, even in a crowed place, the Japanese are willing to stand and line up patiently for hours just for the satisfaction they'd get after that.
This picture shows that the Japanese are queuing after the earthquake to get their disaster-relief items.
This picture shows that the Japanese will queue up while waiting for the train. No matter how long the line is, they will queue patiently for the train to arrive without pushing or cutting.
SOURCE:
(1) http://www.ediplomat.com/np/cultural_etiquette/ce_jp.htm
(4) http://www.nationsencyclopedia.com/economies/Asia-and-the-Pacific/Japan-POVERTY-AND-WEALTH.html
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