Japanese Business manners & etiquettes

Be polite

Whether it's the workplace or anywhere in Japan, being polite is the foremost thing. In situations where you need to talk or discuss things with your seniors or manager, you have to be polite. Being polite to the youngest person or the junior at the workplace means you are respecting that person.

Be punctual

Japanese people respect others' time & they are very punctual. If you want to work in a Japanese company anywhere or in Japan, you will have to follow the given timings. In Japan, arriving 10 minutes prior is considered normal & respectful. Being on time or early to the meeting or any place is a good trait that is ideal for making a good impression. It helps to build a healthy & reliable relation for business. 

Business cards 

Business cards play an essential role when we talk about business manners. The order of giving the business cards starts with the most senior person to the most junior. Business cards are called “Meishi” in Japanese. Few important things that you need to know are as follows:

The business cards are given & received with two hands. While giving & receiving the cards, Japanese people bow a little. After receiving the card, it is usually placed on the table first instead of keeping it inside. It is a good habit since it helps to remember the name & title of the person. Incorporating all these things at the workplace shows a good personality & manners. The custom of exchanging business cards with one hand & receiving it with another hand at the same time is also practiced in Japan. 

Greetings 

We all are aware of the richness of Japanese culture. Japanese people at the time of greeting don't shake a hand, but a bow. It is more unusual than the western culture of doing handshakes. If the other person voluntarily uses the handshake for greeting, it is fine if you do the same. Slight bowing is also considered a good sign. It is not always about perfection but politeness & manners. 

Let’s learn some basic greetings that come in handy at the workplace or business -

Good morning - Ohayou Gozaimasu 

Hello (on phone ) - Moshi Moshi 

Thank you for the help - Arigatou Gozaimasu, Otsukaresama deshita, O sewa ni narimashita

Sorry to disturb you - Shitsureishimasu / shitsureiitashilasu

Be prepared

Japanese people are well prepared for their business meetings, right from the required documents to the business cards. They are very organized to keep the important things neatly. In the case of printed documents, it is considered ideal to provide a copy for everyone who is a part of the meeting. 

Wait for the seat

In Japan, it is considered rude if you sit before the host, boss, or before being directed by someone. Guests or clients are advised to sit far from the entrance door to have the least disturbance when someone comes & goes. In the conference room (Kaigishitsu), wait for the designated seat. If there are no designated seats, wait for the instructions. 

Business attire 

Japanese business attire is the same as that of European countries. In Japan, people at work generally wear dark-colored suits like black or navy blue. During the winter season, one has to take off the jacket & coat outside the office before any conference or presentation.

Bowing

Bowing is Japan’s most common cultural aspect depicting respect for others. There are types of bowing depending on the situation. During greeting someone, normal slight bowing is accepted. At the time of business meetings, presentations, Japanese people bow a little more & hold it for a couple of seconds compared to a slight bowing.

Building relations

The business culture in Japan focuses mainly on relationships. Learning & implementing the Japanese etiquettes & other values such as their modesty, being polite, and so on are the things that are the building blocks. Once the trust is built, Japanese people won’t mind proceeding with the business deals. 

Ways of saying "To wear" in Japanese

 In our recent blog of "Peculiarities of the Japanese language," we had mentioned one point that you all were curious to know in detail.

So here we are today to give you the information about the various verbs for wearing different things.

Kaburu:

We wear the cap, hat, or helmet on our heads. When mentioning these things, we have to use the verb "Kaburu". For instance, if one wants to say that "I am wearing a black cap". In Japanese, it can be said like 

私は黒い帽子をかぶっています。

“Watashi wa kuroi boushi o kabutte imasu.”

Kiru:

You all must be knowing that traditional Japanese dress is referred to as Kimono. During festivals or marriage ceremonies, this traditional attire is worn. However, at workplaces or otherwise, the common attire is western style- Shirt, coat, suit, trouser & skirt etc. 

When one wants to use the verb "kiru" it only includes the things that we wear above the waist. To give one simple example, if one wants to say that he is wearing a white shirt- he may say that 

私は白いシャツを着ます。

"Watashi wa shiroi shatsu o kimasu." 

Japanese people can use this verb when wearing the traditional Japanese outfit- Kimono. Since the kimono is long, it covers the full body. Hence when talking about the outfit that is a one-piece, we have to use the verb Kiru. But, this verb cannot be used for trousers or skirts etc. 

Haku:

Since western attire is now widely used in Japan, Japanese people use the "Haku '' verb, when they want to say that they are wearing the trouser, skirts.  In addition to this we can use this verb for footwear 

(hakimono　履物) like shoes, slippers, sandals & socks etc.  

Example- 妹はスカートを履きます。

“Imouto wa sukaato o hakimasu.”

Younger sister is wearing a skirt.

Kakeru: 

This verb in Japanese has a lot of meanings used in various kinds of situations. 

When we talk about wearing glasses in Japanese, the Kakeru verb is used. めがねをかける　“Megane o Kakeru” or when talking about the sunglasses we can say サンガラスをかける　“Sangarasu o kakeru”

Even for wearing a medal, kakeru can be used. 

メダルをかける　“Medaru o kakeru.”

Maku:

For the things that we wear/roll around our neck, like a muffler or scarf, we can use the verb Maku. 

If you are wearing a muffler around your neck during the winter season, we can say that -

 私はマフラーを巻いています。

“watashi wa mafuraa o maite imasu.”

Hameru:

Before learning Japanese, no one could have imagined this unique thing about the Japanese language that talks about wearing even the finger ring. To put on the ring is used with the verb "Hameru".

The Finger ring is known as "Yubiwa". The word Yubiwa consists of "Yubi" - finger & "Wa" - ring. 

私は若い頃から指輪をはめています。

“Watashi wa wakai koro kara yubiwa o hamete imasu.”

I have been wearing a finger ring since I was young.

Shimeru:

For fastening or tightening the necktie or belt, the "Shimeru" verb is used in the Japanese language. 

At workplaces, where we have to wear a necktie, you can use this specific verb. 

For instance -

社長は赤いネクタイを締めています。

“Shachou wa akai nekutai o shimete imasu.”

Company president is wearing a red necktie.

Tsukeru:

Things like jewellery & perfumes have become now a part of everyday life. It is necessary to know the verb for these things. Tsukeru verb portrays the idea of wearing different kinds of accessories, makeup, perfume & so on. 

香水をつける　

“Kousui o tsukeru” 

To wear perfume. 

ネックレスをつける　

“Nekkuresu o tsukeru” 

 To wear a necklace. 

Suru:

This is a verb that makes things simpler while communicating in Japanese. 

We can use this verb for things like watches, gloves & many other accessories. Though there are specific verbs for each thing, using the verb "Suru" is considered normal. 

Wearing gloves can be said like 手袋をしています。

“Tebukuro o shite imasu.”

And wearing wrist watch is 腕時計をしています。

“Udedeokei o shite imasu.”

Kigaeru:

This verb is made up of the two verbs separately. Kiru + Kaeru 

(着る kiru = to wear )

(替える kaeru - to change)

The kanji depicts the meaning of changing clothes - 着替える (Kigaeru)

To give one example here,

私はパーティーに行くために着替えをしようと思います。

“Watashi wa paati ni iku tame ni kigae o shiyou to omoimasu.”

I am thinking of changing clothes for the party.