The INSIDER Summary:
- There are several cultural faux pas everyone should be aware of when visiting Japan.
- Leaving a tip and pouring yourself a drink are two things to avoid while dining.
- Blowing your nose in public and having phone conversations on public transit are also considered impolite.
In a country with a unique culture like Japan, visitors can feel daunted by the rules and social norms that regulate public life and interpersonal relations. Foreigners visiting Japan are not expected to be familiar with Japanese etiquette, but knowing a few basics will go a long way in helping you adapt to local customs and avoid making cultural gaffes. If you're planning a trip to Japan, here are a few cultural faux pas you should be aware of.
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1. Don't break the rules of chopstick etiquette.
The Japanese will be impressed if you're comfortable using chopsticks. But making the following faux pas will definitely raise eyebrows. Never stick your chopsticks vertically in your bowl of rice — this resembles a funeral ritual. If you need to put them down, always use the chopstick holder next to your plate. Avoid using your chopsticks to pass food to someone else's chopsticks, as this is another taboo. When sharing dishes, use your chopsticks to take the food and put it on your own plate before eating it. And don't rub your chopsticks together – it's rude.
2. Don't wear shoes indoors.
If you're visiting a Japanese home, your shoes should be immediately removed once you're through the door. “Outdoor” shoes are considered unclean, and for this reason they're replaced with “indoor” slippers at the entranceway. This no-shoe rule also extends to traditional ryoken hotels, some public spaces like temples and shrines, and schools and hospitals. If you see shoes lined up at a doorway or entrance then you can be sure that they must be removed, and usually slippers will be available for you to slip on.
Shoes are also a no-no in the areas of restaurants where diners sit on the floor on traditional tatami mats. In this case, slippers are not worn at all — they could damage the straw matting — so make sure your socks match and are free of holes!
Another important rule is to exchange your “indoor” slippers for the special “toilet” slippers when using the toilet. These are kept at the doorway of the toilet area (which is often separate from the bathroom) specially for this purpose. And don't forget to once again do the switch when leaving the toilet area!
3. Don't ignore the queuing system.
The Japanese love to line up in orderly single file whether they're waiting at a bus stop, on a train platform, or even for the elevator! On platforms at train stations, there are lines on the floor indicating where to stand and wait for your train. When the train arrives, the doors will open exactly in-between the two parallel lines that have been formed by waiting commuters. Needless to say, do wait until passengers have left the train before boarding single file.
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