7 habits you need to know 

The following habits you'll want and need to know before living and working abroad in Japan. 

The Japanese greeting etiquette

Before coming to Japan, you'll probably want to know how to greet Japanese people. They greet each other with the Japanese bow (お辞儀, Ojigi). Bowing is the act of lowering one's head or the upper part of your body.

The bowing depends on the relationship between two people, a greeting can be different. The longer and deeper the bow, the higher respect and deeper gratitude are expressed. When you meet someone who is elder than you, and you are not bowing while saying 'hello', it is considered as impolite and disrespectful.

This greeting etiquette is so important in the Japanese working environment and daily life, that some companies are offering trainings for their employees how to bow properly.

Being quiet

Most people say that the most important habit in the Japanese culture is keeping silence. For them it is a way of showing respect, especially in public places. They don't want to invade your personal space or privacy by being loud. When you are on the public transport in Japan, you probably won't see any Japanese talking on the phone and speaking with other next to them. You will see them sit quietly, reading, listening to music (over earphones) or sleeping.

There are even signs in public transport to set your mobile phone in silent modus.

Waiting in lines

Many people will get extremely nervous while waiting 4/5 hours in line for something but Japanese people are a specialist in this. Some say because patience and perseverance are vital in education. 

So if you are going to Japan, remember to que quietly and patiently because pushing and making too much noise is unacceptable in Japan.

Greating - greeting before eating

There are some eating etiquettes in Japan. You need to know this one before having dinner in Japan. Before you eat, you must greet.

Japanese people are putting their hands together and say "Itakimasu" before eating. The original meaning of "Itakimasu" is "I truly appreciate and humbly accept this meal." Why not say "thanks for the meal"? Well, Japanese people are showing respect on what lays on your plate, meat or vegetable, it was once a living creature.

Taking off your shoes

The houses in Japan were made with tatami mats layered on the floor. In the Western country, we use tables and chairs but Japanese are doing almost everything (eating, sleeping,..) on the floor.

For hygiene reasons Japanese people are taking their shoes off  before entering the house. Even in schools, students are required to take off their shoes in classrooms.

The Japanese toilet ( (ウォシュレット, Woshuretto)

I think it's safe to say that every Westerner either wants to use the toilet or is cringing at the thought of using it. 

It is very similar to a Western-style toilet if you look at the exterior. But there are some numerous additional features (blow dryer, seat heating, massage options, water jet adjustments, automatic lid opening, automatic flushing, wireless control panel, ...)

The first experience will be weird, I expect. But nevertheless you'll never be so clean as before!

Slurping; a do or don't?

It may be considered rude in other countries but in Japan it is considered rude not to slurp. Slurping is showing in a way how tasteful dinner was and how much you are enjoying it.

Tine Verbrugghe