Greeting and Conversation

In Japan, greeting and conversation are important aspects of social interaction. They are a way to show respect, build relationships, and create a positive atmosphere.

Rules for Greeting

When greeting someone in Japan, it is customary to bow. The depth of the bow depends on the situation, but it should always be respectful. In general, the deeper the bow, the more respect you are showing.

Here are some examples of appropriate bows:

• A shallow bow (15 degrees) is used for casual greetings, such as when you meet a friend or neighbor.
• A medium bow (30 degrees) is used for more formal greetings, such as when you meet a business associate or teacher.
• A deep bow (45 degrees or more) is used for the most formal greetings, such as when you meet a high-ranking official or religious figure.

In addition to bowing, it is also common to say "Konnichiwa" (Hello), "Ohayō gozaimasu" (Good morning), or "Konbanwa" (Good evening) when you greet someone.

Rules for Conversation

When conversing with someone in Japan, it is important to be polite and attentive. This means making eye contact, nodding your head, and using appropriate language. It is also important to be respectful of the other person's opinions, even if you disagree.

Here are some tips for polite conversation in Japan:

• Make eye contact. This shows that you are paying attention and that you are interested in what the other person is saying.
• Nod your head. This shows that you understand what the other person is saying.
• Use appropriate language. This means using honorifics when addressing people who are older or have a higher social status than you.
• Be respectful of the other person's opinions. Even if you disagree, it is important to listen to the other person's point of view and to avoid being rude or argumentative.

Examples of Behaviors that May Be Considered Rude

Here are some examples of behaviors that may be considered rude in Japan:

• Not greeting someone when you meet them. This is considered to be very rude, even if you are just passing by someone you know.
• Not making eye contact during conversation. This can be seen as a sign of disrespect or disinterest.
• Talking loudly or interrupting someone. This is considered to be rude and disruptive.
• Disagreeing with someone too directly. Japanese people often prefer to disagree indirectly, using euphemisms or tactful language.

• Starting a conversation in a foreign language with someone who does not speak that language. This can be seen as rude and presumptuous.

Reasons for the Rules

The rules of greeting and conversation in Japan are based on the Japanese values of respect, harmony, and politeness. Japanese people believe that it is important to show respect for others, even those you do not know. They also believe that it is important to create a harmonious atmosphere in social interactions.

Additional Information

In addition to the rules mentioned above, there are a few other things to keep in mind when greeting and conversing with people in Japan.

Japanese people often use honorifics when addressing others. These honorifics are used to show respect for the other person's social status or position. For example, you would use the honorific "san" when addressing someone you do not know well, but you would use the honorific "sama" when addressing someone who is older, has a higher social status than you and your business customer.

Japanese people often use indirect language. This is because they believe that it is important to avoid causing offense. For example, you might say "That's a difficult question" instead of "I don't know the answer." Moreover, when you are doing business (sales etc.) in Japan, one of the Japanese customer might said "前向きに検討いたします"（Maemukini Kentou itashimasu）. Direct meaning is "I will consider buying that". But in this case, almost Japanese think that they don't want to buy that.

Japanese people often use silence as a way of communication. This is because they believe that it is important to listen carefully to what the other person is saying. For example, you might pause for a moment before responding to a question, to show that you are considering the answer.