SPECIAL JAPANESE CULTURAL FEATURES THAT TRAINERS NEED TO KNOW

SPECIAL JAPANESE CULTURAL FEATURES THAT TRAINERS NEED TO KNOW

Japan is famous for being a country with very specific culture, from history to behavior in daily life. Understanding Japanese culture makes it easier for trainees to integrate when coming to Japan.

What are those features? Let's find out together!

Greeting culture 

Bowing culture has long become a beautiful culture of the Japanese that is admired by the whole world. All Japanese greetings are always accompanied by bowing. The Japanese will use different greetings and etiquette, depending on relationship, status, and age.

To the superior, you should show your respect by bending at right angles and keeping your legs together. For people of the same age, you just need to bow at an angle of 30°

Cultural communication

Understanding and properly expressing the culture of communication is an almost prerequisite factor for Vietnamese interns to make a good impression on the Japanese. So please pay special attention to communication culture!

In communication, you should avoid looking directly into the other person's eyes. Instead, look to another medium or lower your head and look to the side. Because according to the old concept of the Japanese, looking directly into the eyes of others when talking is disrespectful and inappropriate.

In addition, you should pay attention to keep a certain distance from Japanese people when communicating. Because the Japanese are quite timid. They do not usually have the habit of shaking hands, however, in communication in Japan, this is not considered an act of disrespect.

Finally, in Japan, cuddling is often restricted. Because in Japan, touching the body is considered impolite, so please pay attention to this!

Take off your shoes before entering the house

This is a typical Japanese culture since ancient times when visiting someone's house. You can tell if you need to take off your shoes at a place by paying close attention. For example, if the entrance has slippers placed around, take your shoes off and put on slippers. In cases where the floor is higher than the entrance, it is also a discreet sign that you should take off your shoes before entering. Please apply this method when going to a building, temple, shrine or any restaurant in Japan!

Eating culture

Before meal

Not only fussy in processing or enjoying food, in Japan, eating rules are also very strict. Therefore, eating is considered a typical cultural element of the Japanese people.

When invited by a Japanese person to your home for a meal, show your courtesy by sitting according to the arrangement of the host. Don't be in a hurry to sit at the table when it's not crowded. You absolutely should not drink before or drink alone. Learn to say "thank you everyone" before eating to show your respect to the host.

Another cultural beauty when eating in Japan, they often say "itadakimasu" before a meal to thank the plants and animals that have sacrificed their lives to give them a delicious meal.

While having a meal

The Japanese also use chopsticks to eat rice like the Vietnamese, but the way to use chopsticks is somewhat different. They believe that keeping chopsticks straight is not a good thing, so their chopsticks are often placed horizontally, not vertically. 

While eating, Japan is very abstain from picking up food or sticking chopsticks into a bowl of rice. In addition, you will lose a lot of points in the eyes of the Japanese if you leave leftovers in the bowl. Please take note.

After having a meal

After you've finished eating, show your gratitude by rearranging the dishes in their original order and saying "gochisosamadeshita" (Thank you for the meal). According to the Japanese, this action shows respect to the cook and the ingredients used to make that dish

Plus, if you want to clean your teeth, go to the bathroom quietly. The Japanese do not usually use toothpicks, because they are afraid to floss in front of others. 

Behavioral culture in public places

In Japan, except Osaka standing on the right, all public transport people stand on the left. On an escalator, there are always 2 sides, one for standing and the other for walking. Therefore, pay attention to the correct position so as not to get in the way of others.

You also must not laugh or make loud noises in public because this will cause discomfort to others. In addition, people of the same sex are not allowed to put their shoulders and necks together when walking on the street.