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| Etiquette,
Manners and the Japanese Business World |
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| As one
would expect from a country with such a strong sense of hierarchy and honour,
there are many unwritten laws regarding etiquette and manners that apply
to the business world. Although no-one will expect a foreigner to know
and abide by all these "codes of conduct", knowing a few of the basics
will go along way to smoothing the path to success in Japan. |
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| When meeting
anyone in a business environment for the first time, it is customary to
exchange "meishi" (business cards). You should always present yours to
the receiver using both hands to hold onto the corners as you pass it forward,
stating your name and company as you do so. On receiving a person's meishi,
accept it with both hands and then study carefully what is written on it.
Very often business cards will have Japanese on one side and English on
the reverse, so you should be able to understand what is written. If you
are in a formal situation, it is proper to place the meishi face up on
the table in front of you and refer to it as necessary. If it is a less
formal setting you may put the meishi away after looking at it, but please
ensure to put it somewhere suitable. Just dropping it into a pocket maybe
seen as rude. |
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| When
visiting the office of a business associate, you will probably be shown
into a meeting room and asked to wait. Most meeting rooms will consist
of four or more chairs set around a table. As the honoured guest, it is
important that you take the seat furthest from the door (although that
may be modified if it is a big conference style room), and you should stand
up and bow or shakes hands when someone comes in the room. When receiving
guests you would reverse the process, with you sitting on the side closest
to the door, with the senior member of your party furthest from the door
on your side. This "furthest from the door" approach also applies in most
other situations, including restaurants, bars, taxis etc etc. |
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| Within
your own office life can be somewhat more relaxed although a certain amount
of ceremony, involving lots of bowing and scurrying around, will be observed
when senior managers are present. Generally though, a nod of recognition
is fine for those you work with, perhaps together with a comment on the
weather or a similar subject. On arriving at your office in the
morning a loudly spoken "ohaiyo gozaimasu"
or "Good morning" should
suffice with an equally loud "osaki ni shitsure shimasu" (literally
"excuse my rudeness for leaving before you") when you leave at the end
of the day. This will in turn be usually answered by a chorus of "gokurosama"
or "o-tsukaresama", by those remaining behind. |
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| Confrontation
is frowned upon and avoided in Japanese society and this applies to the
business world too. A common observation that many foreigners make is
that it is impossible to get a straight answer from a Japanese counterparty
in business environment and that every request is met with an uncommitted
remark. In this situation, it is important not to get pushy but just
go withthe flow. Even though a definite no or yes is not forthcoming, you
more than likely are making progress and you will eventually get to a situation
where everyone agrees, although it may not be at that particular time.
Try to get a confirmed date when you can expect to receive an answer and
make it clear what you are hoping to achieve, while still respecting the
integrity of the other party. |
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| The final
point to be aware of is the perennial worry that both Japanese and foreigners
have when they meet - should one bow or shake hands!! It is not uncommon
for a Japanese company to require all it's new employees go through a rigorous
training to ensure that they know to what angle they should bow, to whom
they should bow, and in what situation. |
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| No one will
expect you to understand to that level. A simple extended nod of the head
followed by a short handshake is probably the easiest compromise, but as
long as you show the counterparty respect and politeness, all will be content. |
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