Very Common Gift As Japanese Homes example essay topic

Table of contents: o General Information on Japan Things to do and not to do about: - Appearance- Behavior- Manners- Communication- Gift Giving Conclusion General Information on Japan Japan has a population of approximately 125 million people packed tightly into a rather small geographic area. The official language in Japan is Japanese. Japanese is spoken only in Japan. The literacy rate in Japan is very close to 100 percent and 95 percent of the Japanese population has a high school education. Japan's form of government is parliamentarian democracy under the rule of a constitutional monarch. The dominant religion is Shinto, which is exclusive to Japan.

However, the Japanese have no official religion. Appearance 1) Make appointments before you arrive in the country Japanese don't like newcomers. Make appointments before you arrive in the country. The best way is to be introduced personally by a Japanese agent, or better, by a Japanese business partner.

Before you make an appointment send detailed information about your company. Your Japanese partners expect you to ask for the same. 2) Be on time As a general rule, the Japanese are always on time. There are no such things as being 'fashionably late' or making a 'grand entrance'.

If an event is to begin at 09: 00, then it is best to arrive a few minutes early to get yourself organized and be prepared to begin right at 09: 00 (not 09: 05). 3) Dress conservatively In general, the Japanese are much more conscious of their appearance in public than we are in the West. Some Japanese would rather spend money on clothing than on food. In the large cities your clothing is a sign of your background, social status, or wealth. In general, women do not wear sleeveless tops, shorts, or revealing styles. To conform to the typical businessman's style, men wear dark two piece suits with plain white shirts and conservative ties.

The Japanese do not wear excessive amounts of jewellery that are obvious signs of wealth. Although a piece of jewellery might be expensive, it is worn with a sense of quality, not quantity. Behavior 1) Greet with a long and low bow Bowing represents humility. You elevate, honor, and respect the other person by humbling yourself or lowering yourself. The lower you bow, the more you are honoring or respecting the other party. As a Westerner, you are not expected to initiate a bow, but a bow should always be returned (except from personnel at department stores and restaurants who bow to welcome you, and to whom you can nod in return if you like).

To not bow in return is similar to refusing a hand shake. The person of lower status usually initiates the bow, bows the lowest, and is the last one to rise. Men usually leave their hands at their sides while bowing, but women usually place them together on their thighs with their fingertips overlapping or touching. On most occasions, especially when saying good-bye, there are several bows by all parties. Bowing is used for greetings and partings, for sincerity, humility, for ceremony, to acknowledge or show agreement.

2) Don't use large hand gestures, unusual facial expressions or dramatic movements. The Japanese do not talk with their hands. It is best not to use hand or other gestures as you might mistake the correct meaning of the signal or use them at inappropriate times. When talking to the Japanese, keep a greater distance than at home.

And do not point with your finger, it is impolite. Do not look them straight in the eyes. Body motion, as a whole, is more reserved in Japan than in the West. Yet where Japanese body language may lack in grandeur, it gains in subtleness of detail.

Hand shaking is definitely a Western custom. 3) Never shout either in anger or to get someone's attention In Japan, silence is just as important as speaking. It is a designated moment to understand what has just been communicated. In the West, silence is considered as an awkward moment and we try to mask this uncomfortable feeling with words.

It is best not to try to break the silence as you might appear insincere. It would be better to relax and appear patient with your Japanese counterpart. Manners 1) Don't forget to take your shoes off if you go into a Japanese house Shoes are removed before entering a Japanese home. There will be a step up just inside the front door and everyone will take their shoes off. Don't put your shoes on a table or chair even in the train. If you have to stand on a chair to reach something take your shoes off first.

If you have a problem with sweaty feet use a foot deodorant 2) Do not play with food and try to figure out what's in a particular piece The Japanese are generally sensitive about this and you insult your host by being childish about the food being served to you. The way in which the food is arranged and presented is equally as important as the food itself. 3) It is not rude to slurp or make noise while eating noodles or drinking tea It is Japanese custom to make some slurping noises while eating foods such as noodles in soup. It is a sign of appreciation to your host or the cook.

Soups are also slurped which makes it easier to eat hot foods. Communication 1) Don't call anyone by their first name Never address Japanese by his first name. Only his family and very close friends use the first name. To say "Mister (last name) " simply say the last name and the word san. Use the titles 'Mr. ' or 'Mrs. ' or add 'san' to their family name; for example, Mr. Hiroshima will be 'Hiroshima san'. 2) Don't say "no " The Japanese try to avoid confrontations and direct questions that might create discomfort or a loss of face.

The Japanese are not direct, open, or frank. Often they are criticized for being too vague, but their real intentions might be to respect and develop a relationship. In Japan they never say no in public, which is why American businessman often take away the wrong impression. 3) Topics to Avoid - World War II - making jokes (unless they are very easy to understand, self-deprecating, and made in a social- rather than business-setting) 4) Exchange business cards In Japan, the very first thing that happens in a business meeting is an exchange of business cards. Your cards should be in English and Japanese.

The business cards are clean, without pen notes, kept in a case that is readily accessible, and presented formally with both hands. The cards are carefully read, even if you do not understand a word (to not read it implies that one is not important). Do not play, fidget, or write on the card. For the Japanese, the following is the order of important information on your business card: - Your company - Your department in the company - Your position - Your last name (first names are not important) - Your address or telephone number Gift Giving 1) Offer gifts In Japan, the giving and receiving of gifts are traditional customs in that the value of the gift itself is not as important as its presentation and the thoughtfulness behind the giving. 2) When to give Most commonly, gifts are given when you are, or are going to be, indebted to another person, family, or business. Another consideration is that the Japanese are constantly giving gifts and it would be embarrassing if you were empty handed.

The following are examples of when a gift would be appropriate on a trip to Japan: - to any and all business associates - to new friends that you may make - to home stay families and individual family members - to any visits to a Japanese home - to relatives 3) How to give Gifts are always wrapped in paper, or at least in a fashionable box or container. Gifts are presented and received with a sense of humility and respect. Use both hands to give the gift and a bow. Receive the gift with both hands and a bow. Traditionally, gifts are not opened at the time they are received, but as a Westerner you might want or be expected to open the gift. It would be best to ask if you may open it, opening it carefully and respectfully.

4) What to give- money (clean bank notes) is appropriate for certain occasions such as weddings, funerals, births, and birthdays. Money must always be concealed or wrapped. food is a very common gift as Japanese homes are small and do not have much room for souvenirs or knickknacks; - cookies, expensive candy, condiments; - good quality teas and coffee - liquor, specifically scotch whiskey such as 'Chivas Regal'; wine is also gaining in popularity; 5) What not to give- items that symbolize the severing of a relationship such as scissors, knives, or letter openers; - items totaling an even number, such as four flower stems (the number four symbolizes death); items totaling nine (the number symbolizes suffering) - flowers are generally used at times of illness, death, or courting only - white and yellow chrysanthemums are for funerals Conclusion The Geert Hofstede analysis for Japan is dramatically different from other Asian Countries such as Hong Kong, Korea or China. In Japan Masculinity is the highest characteristic. The lowest ranking factor is Individualism, which coincides with their high ranking in Uncertainty Avoidance. Japan is a more collectivist culture that avoids risks and shows little value for personal freedom. Power Distance Individualism Uncertainty Avoidance Masculinity Long term orientation Japan 54 46 92 95 80 Romania 90 32 90 42 PDI - Power Distance IDV - Individualism MAS - Masculinity UAI - Uncertainly Avoidance LTO - Long term Orientation "Anyone going to Japan will find it illuminating.

Anyone going to do business in Japan will find it a must". Ronald Dore.