Culture Notes
The key to avoiding the title "Ugly American" (applicable no matter where you're from) is to know something about the culture of the country you're visiting. This primer will get you started -- and remember, when in doubt, watch and imitate what others are doing. When you travel, you are a guest, and while the Japanese do not expect visitors to know every aspect of their culture, understanding the basics helps avoid uncomfortable situations.
- Alcohol
While you can buy everything from beer to whisky from vending machines on just about every street, please remember that the legal drinking age in...
- Bowing
People in Japan bow -- a lot. It's their version of the handshake, only more complex, and failing to return a bow is considered impolite....
- Guest Etiquette
The Japanese are gift-givers. If you're invited to their homes (very rare, as the culture tends to entertain in public places), bring a gift --...
- Hygiene/Bathing
Western-style restrooms are generally found in larger department stores and many restaurants. In fact, if you're looking for the latest in high-tech facilities, Japan is...
- Language - Spoken
Japanese is a phonetic language, and that makes it easy to learn some basic phrases. English is generally read and spoken by younger Japanese people;...
- Language - Written
Conveniently, the Japanese language has three different written formats: kanji, hiragana, and katakana. Kanji is the most complex and is not easily learned; however, a...
- Money
It is considered to be rude to count the change that has been handed back to you after making a purchase. This is a culture...
- Politeness
The Japanese are nothing if not polite. In fact, they are so polite that varying degrees of politeness (or lack thereof) are often used to...
- Shoes
When, where, why, and how shoes are worn in Japan can be confusing. Generally, shoes are not worn in Japanese homes, temples, ryokan, and various...
- Tipping
It's true -- tipping is not customary in Japan. Whether in a taxi or restaurant, you pay the price indicated. Note however, that some establishments...
- Visiting Cards
Visiting cards, or business cards, are essential for business travelers. The meishi are exchanged in small ceremonies whereby the parties bow and present their cards...