How To... Do business with Japan

By – DeskDemon.com

Smiling Japanese Business WomanTable manners

Table manners in Japan are inevitably dominated by the use of chopsticks and there are important rules governing their use. These are covered below, together with more general advice on table manners.

  • The Japanese people always say a phrase before and after a meal. Although not a religious saying, it does have familiar connotations of giving thanks for food. Be aware of this before eating.
  • Pick up your food with the smaller pointed ends
  • Lacquer or plastic chopsticks are used in more formal situations and you should place them on a special chopstick-resting piece when they're not in use.
  • Never stick your chopsticks upright in your food, especially your rice bowl, as this symbolises offering food to the dead.
  • Use larger serving chopsticks that may accompany a dish as serving spoons. If there isn't one, you may use the clean top ends of your chopsticks. These ends never go into your mouth once you have decided to use the other ends to eat with.
  • Slurping noises whilst easting foods such as noodles in soup are completely acceptable and, indeed, desirable as a sign of appreciation to your host or the cook.
  • It's permissible and proper to lift small bowls of rice or soup to your mouth in order to eat.
  • Toasting is a commonplace practise in Japan, usually with beer or sake. If you're tee total, it's quite acceptable to toast with orange juice or even green tea. The important point is that you share in a group celebration.
  • Rice is still considered a precious commodity by elders in Japan so don't waste it or pour soy sauce all over it: other dishes are meant to flavour the rice as you eat.
  • Don't blow your nose at the table.
  • Don't play with your food or turn your nose up as you try to discern the origin of certain items and remember that the way in which the food is arranged and presented is equally as important as the food itself.
  • Some kind of refreshment is usually served: don't ask for an alternative if it's not your cup of tea (so to speak!) but take a polite sip and politely decline an offer of something else if the host asks. The host has made a decision on what to serve and the guest kindly accepts the offering.
  • The host will invite the guest to drink or eat, even though something may have been already served. Wait for the host to say "please" or "dozo" before you dig in.
  • Don't reach across the table for items such as cream or sugar, but wait to be offered. If you're not offered these items, drink your coffee black!
  • Subordinates to the key players may eat or drink only after their superiors have begun.

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