Culture Shock! TOKYO
Last week I borrowed this one book from the library CULTURE SHOCK! A SURVIVAL GUIDE TO CUSTOMS AND ETIQUETTE,
by Yuko Morimoto - Yoshida, which wrote interesting info points about Tokyo (my fave place in Japan :D).
So...since some of my F-list friends are going to Japan soon (Yeay!!) I'm sharing some of the informations (and it's just that I got nothing interesting to write about)...
Japanese people maintain group harmony by following protocol or rules. For example. most people wait for the traffic signal to turn green before they cross the street, even when there are no cars coming. - Unlike here in Malaysia, people just cross the road as if they are invincible.
Tokyoites are generally gracious hosts, willing to help foreigners. However, some Japanese people may seem hesitant to interact with foreigners, because they lack of confidence speaking in english. Although everyone studies the english language in high school, emphasis is placed on grammar and vocab rather than on practical conversation. Foreigners who feel that their spoken english is not being understood by Japanese people can often communicate successfully by writing down their requests.
Japanese people tend to avoid saying things directly, preferring to express opinions and feelings in an indirect manner. Because 'not hurting other people's feelings ' and maintaning group harmony are their primary concerns. Japanese people sometimes even show positive feelings indirectly because appearing to be happier than other people may jeopardise harmony. - 1 of the points that I'm scared to interact with Japanese, it's just hard to know what they're thinking or feel.
The Do's and Dont's
Do's
* Bow when you greet someone.
* Take off your shoes when you enter a room with tatami mat at restaurants and/or when you enter a Japanese home.
* Bring gifts if you are invited to someone's house.
* Say itadakimasu before a meal.
* Be prepared to walk a lot and climb a lot of stairs as public transportation will be the main transportation in Tokyo and escalators
are not installed at all stations.
* Write things down if your spoken English is not understood. Japanese people comprehend better reading English rather than
listening or speaking it.
Dont's
* Don't call Japanese people by their first name unless you are invited to do so.
* Don't speak in a loud voice ine a public place.
* Don't point your fingers at people.
* Don't force people to open a gift in front of others.
* Don't use a handkerchief when you blow your nose. Use a tissue paper. - Which you can get from the people who gave away free t
tissues to promote their shops, etc.
* Don't eat food while you are walking. - One of my bad habit, and I got scolded by Japanese people (well in a nice way) eating
Takoyaki while walking.
* Don't pour soy sauce over rice.
* Don't pour your own beer. Wait until someone next to you pours it for you.
Those who is going to Japan, have lots and lots of FUN!! Don't forget pictures to share your experince!! Who knows what you will experince in Japan, I hope my points help.
p.s Minami chan, don't forget to touch *_* you know what I mean XD