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| *Travel Tips>>>Japan Travel Tips |
Visiting Japan and staying with a Japanese family? |
Travel Info I know that a foreigner isn't expected to know a lot about Japan. But there are some things I need to know because I want to be respectful. So I have three separate questions. If I were to be a guest in a Japanese house for several days or more, what customs should I know, what should and shouldn't I do? What would a Japanese family expect a foreign guest, who is staying for a while, to do and how would they expect them to behave? And... If I had a Japanese guest come to stay with me, what can I do to make him or her feel most comfortable? Travel Tips First, it is considered polite to bring a small gift (omiyage) for the host family. It doesn't have to be anything fancy. Any family sized box of snacks or some signiture souvenier from you home country should be fine. Remove your shoes before stepping from the entrance way of their home up into the house proper. If there is a wooden platform in the entrance way, do not step on it in your shoes. I would also advise you against complimenting any specific item in their home (i.e. that's a really nice doll on the table) or they will feel obligated to give it to you. Even if they don't give it to you it could still be construed as you putting them in a position where they had to say no to a guest and that can be awkward for them even if it isn't what you meant at all. Keep your polite praise general (I really like your house, it's very comfortable. I like the way you've decorated, etc.) Ask about anything you don't understand. Just remember everything your mother ever taught you about manners when visiting and you should be fine. They will expect you to be mannerly, but also to be different so don't sweat it. If a Japanese person visits you just do all the normal stuff you would do to make a guest feel welcomed. If they've come to the U.S. they will be expecting it to be different from home. Just be aware that they may feel uncomfortable helping themselves to your refrigerator and be aware that it is poilite to make requests indirectly. (if they say, "I really think it would be interesting to eat an American hamburger sometime", what they really mean is; I want to eat an American hamburger, please take me.) Also it is considered polite for them to refuse an offer of a gift or assistance at least twice before accepting. (if you buy them a really nice parting gift and they say no thank you as you present it to them, they don't mean they don't like it. You are just supposed to offer it again; "No really I insist..." There are lots of sites and books about the particulars of Japanese etiquette, but remember they don't expect you to act like a Japanese person when you come. Just be open and friendly and have a great time. Others COOL drink some saki for me lol good for you Sara Japanese are very nice and well behave people look on exchange programs or the Japanese embassy..can help you also.. always show respect.. they are housing you.. smile alot and just have a good time.. if you don't know something don't be shy and just ask them.. if they don't know then they don't know.. japan is a really new place.. i've went their for a vacation for 2weeks.. i didn't learn any words but i did meet lot of hottie..thats the only time i wish i knew some words beside "i don't understand what your saying"..lol.. you do come cross people who know some english but not the best.. well have a great time japan.. enjoy the culture and tradition Take your shoes off as soon as you enter the house. There is a small area called the genkan where you take off your shoes and set them so that they face the doorway. Chances are there will be slippers for you. Wear them for all the rooms except when you enter a room with tatami flooring or the bathroom. If there are no "bathroom slippers" (you can tell they are for the bathroom because WC for Water Closet are on them) just keep on your socks. Be very careful on tatami flooring because it's expensive and can tear easily. When you are entering someone's house as a guest you say, "Ojama shimasu". Before eating you should try to remember to say, "itadakimasu" and after eating tell the cook "gochisousama deshita". To show your thanks for hosting you, you should bring gifts for the family. Alcohol, chocolates, or something that is from your hometown and cannot be found in Japan are good suggestions to bring. Don't do anything too expensive or elaborate, wrap them all very nicely, and present them to your host with "tsumaranai mono desu ga..." (it's really nothing but...). If you want them to open it in front of you, you might need to prompt them to open it with "akete kudasai". The Japanese often have baths every night. The bath ("ofuro") is for relaxation, the small shower attachment close by is for cleaning yourself. Clean yourself *then* enter the bath. Don't drain the bath water because, chances are, other people will still want to use it. (Most tubs come with covers to keep the water warm when it's not in use. Replace it if you can.) If your host family invites you to the hot springs ("onsen"); do go! If you have a tattoo, please bring it up to the family before going because many onsen do not like having people with tattoos enter because, in Japan, tattoos = Yakuza (Japanese mafia). While your family won't be expecting you to speak and act like a native Japanese person, they will expect you to have a basic grasp of regular Japanese life. You can find more rules on ettiquette from the internet. I'm sure they will also expect you to be willing to try their food and, remember, an empty plate shows signs of respect to the chef. http://www.japan-guide.com/ is a good site to check out. Encourage him/her to use English, but also carry around your own Japanese-->English dictionary so you can help out if they are stuck. It's always very frustrating to try and overcome the communication barrier. Don't treat him/her like a complete foreigner and let him/her choose things to do as much as you do. Restaurants can be scary for a foreigner so try to cook some food at home that you've had but your guest hasn't yet. Maybe even suggest trying a Westerner's take on Japanese food. Well, just be kind and dont wear your shoes in their house~鈽?br /> Also...When they compliment you, dont let it get to your head and just say, "mada heta" (im not good yet) Also, study up on your Japanese if you arent good. Also, if something looks "scary to eat", try it anyways, you never know if you'll like it. Keep an open mind. They should expect you to be kind and repectful. Also, if you host, then just be kind and show them around your city or town... Good on you. Japanese people are very polite in general. I suggest you smile a lot and be respective to them. And by the way don't use direct eye contact too much they don't do eye contact in Japan as much as English speaking people apparently. If a Japanese guest came to stay with you, and they can speak English, you should ask him/her about where they live it should make him/her comfortable talking about their background. |
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