No tipping, please! So say the Japanese who consider this Western practice to be rude when eating out in restaurants. Personal etiquette in Japan is all about formality and showing respect to others, all of which we could do well to see more of here in North America. Outside of Japan, although many Japanese adopt the customs of the country they are now living in or are visiting, they often still practice the "rules" they have come to know in Japan, when they are in their private domains.

One of the biggest and most valued ideas is punctuality. People in Japan are rarely late for anything, including work...especially work! The idea that something is to begin at a certain time means exactly that. It is frowned upon and considered a great insult to a host if you are late to an invitation, even with a good excuse.

Even though you'll find large cities such as Tokyo in Japan, you'll rarely hear the noise and din that goes on in North American cities, primarily from people. Sure, you'll still be drowned out by the sound of cars on the busy streets, but you will never hear a raised voice or someone calling out to another person across the street. Canadians might be known for their politeness, but the Japanese are incredibly considerate of others while in public. You must never chew gum, or eat or drink in public, as it is considered very rude. So much for street vendors!

In Japan, when greeting another person that you know, it is very impolite to shake hands, hug or touch someone on the arm. A greeting should also never include direct eye contact, and although this is very unfamiliar to us in Western cultures, we would do well to remember this when doing business with people from Japan. It is customary to exchange business cards as a formal greeting, so it would be wise to carry lots with you if you ever do business in Japan.

When visiting someone in their home, don't forget to remove your shoes before entering. They might provide slippers for you to wear, but keep in mind that even slippers are not recommended for every room. If a room has a straw mat known as a tatami, you must not wear footwear as this is a special room to the host. Also, don't forget that special slippers are placed in the washroom and are NEVER to be worn out of that room. That would be an enormous insult to the person who owns the home!

Kindness, consideration of others, giving your colleagues just as much respect as you give your friends...all of these things make up the ideals of personal etiquette in Japan. I think if we all just adopted one of these things in our daily lives, the world would be a much nicer place to live!

Learn more about this author, Heidi Labron.
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