Learn All about Japanese Culture in 30 Minutes!

Summary

This video script provides an engaging and informative guide to navigating various aspects of life in Japan, from using public transportation and visiting friends’ homes to dining etiquette, company culture, and specific customs. It offers practical lessons on how to ride a train, visit someone's house, eat properly at a Japanese meal, use chopsticks, take a bath, and even the correct way to order food at a ramen shop. It also delves into the unique practices of Japanese business etiquette and social norms, ensuring viewers gain a thorough understanding of Japanese culture.

Takeaways

• 😀 In Japan, pregnant women often wear a maternity badge to receive preferential treatment on crowded trains, and it's polite to offer them a seat.
• 😀 When getting off a crowded train in Japan, say 'sumimasen' to ask other passengers to make room for you.
• 😀 In crowded trains, be mindful of your position by stepping out onto the platform to allow others to exit and holding your backpack in front of you.
• 😀 When visiting someone's house in Japan, you should remove your shoes at the entrance and may be offered indoor slippers.
• 😀 Bring a small gift, like sweets or fruit, when visiting someone's home in Japan, and hand it to them with both hands out of the bag.
• 😀 In Japan, you should eat a traditional meal at a consistent pace, alternating between rice, miso soup, and side dishes, while holding bowls when eating rice or soup.
• 😀 Hold chopsticks properly in Japan by placing one stick on your thumb and fourth finger, and the other between your thumb, index, and middle fingers.
• 😀 It is considered bad manners in Japan to pull a plate towards yourself, pass food with chopsticks, or stick chopsticks upright in a rice bowl.
• 😀 The Japanese bath involves washing and rinsing your body before soaking in a shared hot tub, and it's essential to avoid splashing soap into the bath water.
• 😀 When working in Japan, use polite greetings with seniors (senpai) and casual greetings with juniors (kohai), and avoid leaving work before others without apologizing.
• 😀 At ramen shops in Japan, use the vending machine to order, slurp noodles for better taste, and avoid using the ceramic spoon for noodles, only for broth.
• 😀 At Japanese company drinking parties, wait for the toast before drinking, and it's considered impolite to pour your own drink. Pour drinks for others as a sign of respect.

Q & A

What should you say if you need to get off a crowded train but there are people in the way?

You should say 'Sumimasen' to politely ask others to make space for you to get off the train.

What does the maternity badge signify on a Japanese train?

The maternity badge is worn by pregnant women to signal that they may need preferential treatment, such as a seat, during their commute.

What is a common mistake foreign men make when riding Japanese trains?

A common mistake is accidentally getting on a women-only car, which is designated for female passengers, especially during rush hours.

What is the polite way to greet someone when visiting their house in Japan?

When entering someone's house in Japan, the polite phrase to use is 'Ojama shimasu,' which means 'Excuse me for disturbing you.'

Why is it important to take off shoes when entering a Japanese home?

In Japan, it is customary to remove shoes at the entrance of a house to keep the indoor space clean, and often slippers are provided for indoors.

How should you hold chopsticks correctly in Japan?

To hold chopsticks properly, place one chopstick between the crook of your thumb and the tip of your fourth finger, and use your thumb, index, and middle fingers to hold the other chopstick like a pen.

What are some common chopstick manners to avoid in Japan?

Avoid actions such as passing food with chopsticks (which is considered a funeral practice), sticking chopsticks upright in a rice bowl, and pulling dishes toward you with chopsticks.

How is a traditional Japanese bath different from a typical Western bath?

In Japan, the washing area is separate from the bathtub, and you must wash your body and hair before soaking in the bath. The bath is intended for relaxation, and the water is shared by family members.

What is the correct way to greet your co-workers in a Japanese company?

In Japan, you should address co-workers according to seniority. Greet your seniors politely, using respectful language, and you can speak more casually to juniors.

How do you order food at a ramen restaurant in Japan?

At many ramen restaurants, you first purchase a meal ticket from a vending machine, decide on your ramen, toppings, and size, and then take the ticket to the cashier before being seated.

What should you avoid doing at a company drinking party in Japan?

At a company drinking party, avoid pouring your own drink. Instead, it is polite to pour drinks for others, especially your seniors, and offer to refill their glasses when they are empty.

What is the significance of seating arrangements in a Japanese-style restaurant?

In a Japanese-style restaurant, seating is based on seniority. The most senior person sits in the 'kamiza' (seat of honor), while the most junior person sits in the 'shimoza' (lowest seat).