Entry No. 27

REMEMBER THESE BIG NO-NOS WHEN YOU ARE IN JAPAN

1. NO TOUCHING

In my country, when we meet a person and try to introduce yourself first we would shake hand first, but in Japan they bow and no hand shake except for diplomatic exchanges. Basically, in Japan you had better wait until you become really close friends with a person before touching them. If involuntarily happens, they might understand because you are a foreigner, but it still will cause awkward situation.

2. CHOPSTICKS

Dont bite or lick your chopstick even if the food is delicious that you want to savour every last bit of it is seen as rude an unacceptable. Japanese society values good hygiene very highly. The chopstick is seen as a tool which allows separation of one's mouth and one's hand for minimal contact and a slim chance for bacteria to spread.

3. USING PHONES IN TRAINS

Everyone knows how Japanese are preoccupied with manners, especially on the train or in other public transport. There are regular announcements in the train and on the platform regarding how you should behave during your trip and this includes the use of phones. You will hear the annoucements to turn your phones off after you board your train so that you are not disturbing your fellow companions of travel.

4. SMOKING

In Japan, the legislation is still permissive at the moment, so there are smoking areas in restaurants, and you can smoke freely in most pubs and clubs and can smoke in many designated areas on the streets, You are only allowed to smoke in the specified smoking areas. If you do it anywhere else, you might get fine or at least get scolded by a police officer.

5. TAKING OFF YOUR SHOES

One of the biggest taboos are if you go into a Japanese house while wearing you shoes on it will cause an outrage by the owners of the house. When you enter the hallway in the house you are expected to take your shoe off. Make sure you leave them at the hallway, and with the tips of your shoes facing the exit. You are literally showing your socks mostly everywhere in Japan, so you should try to keep them clean and presentable.