Japanese customs
This is a list of Japanese customs and some customs may not be true in another region even within Japan. These are generally accepted modern customs in Japan and those customs changing are listed as Transitive customs. Some customs are historically different and these are listed as well.
Argument and Debate
Do's Don't
Cooking and Eating
Do's
- Empty all the plate.
- Lift bowls if it helps.
- Say Itadakimasu before eating and Gochisosama after eating.
- When you can't eat certain foods for an allergic or a religious reason, do let know in advance. Do explain why you can't eat them.
Don't
- Don't pick out ingredients you don't like and eat the rest.
- Don't pour soy sauce or any sauce and seasoning without tasting.
- Don't talk with food in your mouth.
Alcohoric Drinks
Do's
- Do accept another glass when you can drink more.
- It is okay to get drunk.
- When drunk, one's responsibility on actions and talks are reduced.
Don't
- Don't force someone to drink.
Do's
- Ask for a fork or a spoon when not familiar with them.
- Leave them beside a plate when finished with eating.
- Use them to pickup foods.
Don't
- Don't stub foods with them.
- Don't pass foods using chopsticks to chopsticks.
Funeral
Do's Don't
Greeting and Parting
Do's
- Bow or shake hands when meeting.
- When parting, instead of simply saying goodbye, make a wish to meet again.
Don't
- Don't simply walk off.
Gender Roles
Do's
- Treat both sex in a same way as much as possible.
Don't
Person to Person
Do's
Don't
- Don't open a gift immediately. At least ask before opening.
- Don't stare.
Working Ethics
Do's
- Arrive early and be prepared to start working as soon as workhours begin.
- Praise other workers for supports even when they had been a little help for a success.
Don't
- Don't come to work drunk.
- No sexual harassment.
Transitive Customs
Do's
Don't
Historic Customs
Do's
Don't