Do's and dont's at the work floor

Etiquette in the workplace, also in Japan they have different unwritten rules about how to behave in the workplace. If you are going to work in another country as an expat, there are always things that you will not immediately know. In this post I will give you some of these etiquette rules so that on your first day of work you will certainly not be embarrassed or unconsciously insult your boss.

First on the agenda (and perhaps most important) are of course the greetings.

This is the first moment when you can either impress or mess it up completely. Always start with a bow, this is very important in Japan and is very appreciated if a Westerner is aware of this. Always keep your back straight when bending and more importantly, never make eye contact! This comes across as aggressive. The Japanese are shaking hands too, so be ready and don't bow if the other wants to shake a hand. Occasionally hands will also be shaken while bending, if this is the case, turn a little to the left so that you don't hit your head.

One of the worst mistakes you can make when accepting a business card is putting it in your back pocket or the front of your wallet. Never do this!

Exchanging business cards is therefore taken very seriously in Japan. Business cards should be treated with great respect, their quality says a lot about yourself and how you are in business. So if you're planning to work as an expat in Japan, now is the time to invest in a nice card-carrying bag.

Some extra tips;

- Always hand your card to the senior first, do this with both hands and keep the notebook facing the recipient so they can read it without turning.

- If you want to exchange cards while seated, always stand up and hand over your card, never do this by sliding it across the table

- When receiving a card, thank the person by bending slightly while taking it. Also, take the card with 2 hands and read it.

There are also some rules to keep in mind when dealing with things outside the office.

The main thing here is that you should always take off your shoes when entering a house. Normally there will be a rack where you can place them, if not place them aside so that they do not block the entrance. Please note, walking barefoot is not a habit. When the weather is warm and you wear sandals, always bring a small pair of stockings that are not worn out and therefore have no holes so that your bare feet do not end up in your host's slippers. If you are not familiar with the environment it is good to be attentive and just follow the host, if you do what he/she does then you cannot fail.

Bibliography;

Etiquette in Japan - Wikipedia. (z.d.). wiki. Geraadpleegd op 25 april 2021, van https://nl.qaz.wiki/wiki/Etiquette_in_Japan

Follow These Japanese Business Etiquette Tips for Better Success. (z.d.). TripSavvy. Geraadpleegd op 25 april 2021, van https://www.tripsavvy.com/japanese-business-etiquette-1458300 

Public Holidays and Annual Events. (z.d.). Japan-Guide. Geraadpleegd op 25 april 2021, van https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2062.html 

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