TABLE OF CONTENTS Being a Gaijin in JapanGreetingsUse of NamesEntertaining FriendsStatus of WomenDating PatternsPhysical ContactDrugs in JapanDrinking Alcohol/Smoking

1. Being a Gaijin in Japan One of the first Japanese word you will

hear in reference to you is Gaijin, literally translated as “outside person”.

This term is not generally used to downgrade foreigners.

Others wonder why Japanese do not identify foreigners as “Americans”, “British,” or “Australians”, rather than lumping all non-Japanese together as gaijin.

2. Greetings Upon meeting for the first, second or

umpteenth time, men and women usually bow, although the more cosmopolitan may shake hands.

Often, people will bow and shake hands simultaneously.

3. Use of Names First names are generally not used in Japan.

Most Japanese use the family name followed by san (Mr./Miss/Mrs), sensei (literally, “teacher,” but used in addressing not only professors but also physicians, dentists, politicians), or the title of the person being addressed.

If you are in doubt and there is no one immediately available to ask for advice, use san. Since your name may be difficult for Japanese to pronounce, you may be asked to provide a nickname, e.g., “Mak-san” for Mr. McDonald.

4. Entertaining Friends

Invitations are extended either in person, by telephone or on printed invitations for formal receptions or dinners and all should be taken seriously.

If invited to a meal, it is likely that it will be at a restaurant rather than at someone’s home.

It is polite to arrive on time, to take a small token of your appreciation (a potted plant, flowers, sweets), especially if your are going to a private home, and to say thank you afterwards by telephone, postcard, or letter.

TIPS When eating Japanese food, never stick

your chopsticks into rice, since it is associated with the rice bowl placed in the funeral altar.

If you are visiting a sick person at home or at the hospital, do not bring a potted plant or flowers that change colors frequently, since the former associates the sickness with being “rooted”, and the latter, with the sickness being worsened.

The numbers “4” and “9” are to be avoided in a gift or at other times because 4 = shi, has the same sound as the word of death (shi), and 9 = ku as the word of suffering (ku).

5. Status of Women The status of women in Japan is

complex and cannot be characterized in simple terms.

For a typical couple, the female spouse is still generally expected to do all of the cleaning, cooking and other chores, whether she is working or not.

Mass media often report that women in Japan are more “genki” (vigorous, active) than their male counterparts.

Single women are said to be enjoying their lives, spending much money on travel abroad and shopping.

Housewives are active in networking themselves for various objectives, e.g. volunteer activities, co-op, community services, recycle activities, study circles, and many others.

6. Dating Patterns

The omiai is still prevalent. This is when two people are introduced by friends or go-between who have first investigated the family/personal backgrounds of the two parties to ensure a degree of compatibility.

While dating is common, the underlying assumption between two Japanese is that marriage is the eventual objective. Therefore, foreign visitors must be sure to make their intentions clear to avoid any misunderstanding.

Do not be surprised to hear the terms “girlfriend” or “boyfriend” used frequently in casual conversation, since they usually simply refer to female and male friends.

7. Tipping One of the pleasures of living and

traveling in Japan is the absence of the custom of tipping in everyday life.

In staying at hotels, taking taxis, dining out, having groceries delivered, ordering “de-mae”, having something repaired in your home and the like, no tipping is expected or necessary.

8. Physical ContactForeigners dislike physical contact with

strangers, while Japanese seem quite indifferent or inured to it. In addition, while Japanese avoid physical contact with friends and family members, foreigners indulge in it freely.

Hugging and kissing among friends and family – even after a long separation – is uncommon in Japan.

9. Drugs in Japan The Japanese attitude toward

narcotics of any kind, including marijuana, is very severe.

Importation or use of drugs will lead to incarceration until the time of deportation, and permanent barring from Japan.

An individual can be arrested for use of drugs several weeks or months after the fact. There are absolutely no exceptions to the severity with which the law is applied. There have been cases of arrest and deportation of overseas students because of possession of marijuana.

10. Drinking Alcohol / Smoking In contrast to the strict laws and public

attitude toward use of narcotics, the Japanese are very tolerant of what to Westerners may appear to be excessive drinking and public inebriation.

Beer, sake and whisky are available everywhere, including convenience stores, on trains, and in almost all dining establishments.

If you do not wish to drink, it is perfectly acceptable to refuse and request a substitute.

The Japanese in general find alcohol to be great social lubricant, which frees them from the rigid structures of their social and business obligations and customs.

Although planes, subways and commuter trains, their stations and platforms, hospitals, public offices, department stores, etc. practice the “no smoking” policy or provide separate smoking corners, smoking is not as strictly regulated as in the U.S. or in other places. An increasing number of restaurants have designated areas for smokers and non-smokers.