Omiyage(Gift) , Gift Giving Etiquette

Gift giving is a big deal in Japan.It is a tradition, and it is expected.Gifts are offered a sign of respect, appreciation and  friendship. The gift that offered no need to be expensive, it can be the small yet meaningful ones where only the people that gives and receives will understand it's true meaning. Japanese are more emphasize on how a gift is wrapped and presented. Gifts are usually offered and presented with both hands and not opened when received. Japanese usually offer items in odd numbers but not in number of nine and number of four because they are unlucky numbers in Japan.

A good hostess gift is flowers, but don't present it in a large bouquet.

Do not give ilies, camellias, lotus blossoms, white flowers of any kind as they are associated with funerals.
Do not give potted plants as they encourage sickness.

Japanese Business Cards

    The exchange of business cards, meishi, is an essential part of Japanese business etiquette. The business card ceremony begins after a person has introduced him/herself and bowed. You should offer the card with the Japanese side facing upwards toward the recipient and offering the card with both hands will demonstrate greater respect. The Japanese expect you to take the time to carefully read and memorize all pertinent information. Business cards are considered an extension of the individual. 

Below are several common errors which should be avoided when exchanging cards:

• Do not stuff the card into your pocket like a Kleenex. That would be considered extremely rude. Take your time to read it and then put it into a business card holder.
• Do not make notes in blank areas of the card
• Do not bend or damage the business card in front of its owner. This is considered a direct insult.
• The card should not be cribbed to reconfirm the owner's name. This is considered extremely poor etiquette.
• There is no excuse for running out of business cards on a trip to Japan. Keep in mind that you may have to hand out as many as 40 or 50 cards at a larger meeting.
• Do not carry your cards loosely in a pocket. Carry them in a distinctive business card case.

  

Formatting of the Japanese Business Card

 Traditionally, the vertical set-up was used for Japanese business cards. The horizontal layout has become the norm. Addresses are in a different order than in English. The country appears first, then the state, the city with the zip code in front, then the street address.

Personal Appearance : Traditional Japanese Clothing

Japanese are very concerned on their personal appearance. For Japanese, their clothing worn is the first impression for other people, an impression of showing who they are, how wealthy they are and their social status. There are various type of clothing in Japan. For example Furisode, Hamonji, Iromuji, Komon, Edo Komon, Yukata, Hakama and others. However, The two of the most common clothing are YUKATA and KIMONO. Yukata is a casual way of dressing in Japan where as for Kimono, it is worn by both men and women. Kimonos for men are mainly in dark. Kimonos can be worn in formal wear and casual way as well. Here are some pictures that I would like to share with you about Kimono.

A moment with a cup of tea while wearing Kimono.

Kimono for little girls and boys.

Traditional japanese clothing, extremely unique and beautiful in its way.

Ways to Conducting Business with Japanese

Do you know there is certain ways to conducting business with Japanese? These are the following things we need to know when we conducting business with the Japanese during negotiation, meetings, and discussion.

1) Negotiation
When we having a negotiation with the Japanese, we need to know that the Japanese decision-making process is more on group oriented. As we can see that each member of the group prefers a more passive mode of decision making and try to avoid on-the-spot decisions. There are 4 stage in a business negotiation process with the Japanese. Firstly is nontask sounding and the Japanese spend pretty much time on it. Secondly is task-related exchange of information and please notice that the Japanese are less concerned with the pressure of deadlines. Also the Japanese will appear to slow down as complications develop. Thirdly is persuasion, the Japanese will retreat into vague (in Japanese means NO) statements or silence and they require frequent referrals to superiors or the head office. Lastly there will be concessions and agreement. The Japanese will quickly feel threatened or victimized by aggressive tactics or a stressful situation so please avoid using these method to get into a agreement.

2) Meetings
When we having meeting with the Japanese , please be punctual. Try to be earlier at least five minutes before the meeting starts as it is important to arrive on time to shows as Japanese value punctuality. If you are going to be late, please contact your contact person to tell them your estimate arrival time as it will give the Japanese a very bad impression if you did not inform them earlier. However, meetings in Japan always exceed the time, expand on various topic including non-business related talks, so it is best practice not to schedule back-to-back meetings. Also, the attire for the meeting is very important as well, it is the safest for men to wear suit and tie and dress for women. When you visit and meet your client, your contact person may bow instead of shaking hands , as Japanese people frequently bow when meeting others or thanking or apologizing to someone. These are just a part of Japanese business manners. Your client should understand that they are meeting with non-Japanese visitors, so do stress over following these guidelines precisely , but just enjoy the communication with your client.

3) Discussion
Before we have discussion with the Japanese, they will values the "meishi" (business card) exchange as the time of formal self-introduction. When we having discussion with the Japanese, please notice avoid open refusals disargeement or confrontation. The Japanese is very considerate to other people feelings and is afraid if rejecting someones hard work will be too hard on the person.

Japanese's Gesture

Sitting Position

The Japanese have traditionally sat on tatami (a padded straw mat) at their homes.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. It is considered polite to sit seiza style on formal occasions.

Another way of sitting is cross-legged (agura). It is a more relaxing way to sit. 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).

Bowing

Bowing in Japan is a way of saying "hello" , "goodbye" , "thank you" and even "I'm sorry" . The dept of the bow and duration of the head is kept lowered is depending on the age of the person ,status of the person involved and relationship to on another.
Here is a video to show the correct way to bow in japan :)

Japanese Dining Etiquette

Some of us might think that Japanese dinning style is similar to chinese ones but the japanese style is very different from chinese ones in many ways for example:chinese are allowed to point their chopstick at people but to japanese it is very rude and disrespectful to point your chopstick at someone.

The Way of Japanese Chopstick
-don't point your chopstick at someone you're dining with
-don't point your chopstick at food that you think it's delicious
-don't lick sauce off your chopstick
-don't play with your chopstick

BAD MANNERS

There is one thing to keep in mind that is never to pass food around with your chopstick because this remind them of their a ritual which they pass cremated bone between chopstick at a funeral.

During a meal , we should say "itadaki-masu" before we start eating and it means "I humbly receive" and after we're done eating we need to say "gochisosama-deshita" means "Thankyou for the meal".

Flower Viewing and Cherry Blossoms

In Japan when the spring comes the cherry tree(Sakura) would blossoms and the local people would plan a trip to area filled with beautiful cherry tree to enjoy the view and it's also a chance to bond with the family and release work stress.They would also bring food and tea and have picnic among the beautiful blossoms.

Cherry blossom viewing, charm and attractive in its own way :)