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Traveling is an enriching experience, but adapting to new cultural norms can be challenging. A gesture considered polite in one nation might be seen as disrespectful in another, making it essential to familiarize yourself with basic salutations. When visiting Japan, understanding how to greet people is a vital skill. Luckily, there are multiple approaches, from highly formal to casual greetings.
Steps to Follow
Formal Greetings
Respect personal space. Avoid initiating handshakes, hugs, or pats on the back. Instead, keep a polite distance of several feet. Japanese culture emphasizes personal space and privacy, so ensure your body language aligns with these principles.
- Aim to maintain a distance of two to three feet. Being too far apart can make communication and interaction uncomfortable or impractical.
Show respect. Speak clearly yet softly, avoid using your phone in public areas, and let your hosts lead the way. These actions will show your friends, hosts, or business associates that you are considerate and respect their cultural practices.
- Loud and pushy behavior is seen as impolite. Treat vendors or service staff with kindness.
Avoid direct eye contact. Intense eye contact is viewed as impolite, so try to keep your gaze lowered when possible. Instead of looking directly into someone’s eyes, focus on their mouth or chin during conversations. Excessive eye contact can come across as confrontational or improper.
- Practice lowering your gaze by talking to yourself in the mirror or interacting with people from your own culture.
- This custom might be less strict in certain parts of Japan or among younger generations.
Bow at a 45-degree angle from the waist. Maintain the bow for two to five seconds, placing your hands near your hips or thighs. The depth of your bow reflects the level of respect you wish to show.
- You can also bow with your hands clasped together near your chest.
Accept a handshake if offered. While you should never initiate a handshake, it is acceptable to reciprocate one. Physical contact is generally avoided in formal settings, so only engage in a handshake if the other person initiates it.
Offer your business card. Exchanging business cards is a significant part of Japanese etiquette. When presenting your card, use both hands and ensure the side with Japanese text faces the recipient.
- To receive a card, accept it with both hands and bow slightly to show gratitude.
- Business cards are exchanged in order of seniority, so wait for your superiors to offer theirs first.
Casual Greetings
Refrain from physical contact. Even if you are accustomed to showing affection or familiarity through touch, do not assume others share the same comfort level. In informal settings, opt for a simple bow and maintain a respectful distance.
- This is especially crucial when interacting with individuals of different sexes or gender identities, as public physical contact may be deemed inappropriate or impolite, not due to queer identification but because traditional binary norms discourage excessive contact between different sexes/genders.
- If you share a close bond with those you are greeting, you might be encouraged to show more familiarity. Take cues from the people around you.
- Japan is gradually becoming more aware and accepting of the LGBT+ community, leading to evolving traditions and customs.
- 中性/intergender [Chuu-sei]
- 両性/bigender [Ryo-sei]
- 無性/agender [Mu-sei]
Limit eye contact. In casual situations, brief eye contact is acceptable, but avoid prolonged stares. Let your gaze rest for a few seconds before shifting focus elsewhere.
- Take cues from the person you are interacting with. If they avoid eye contact, follow their lead.
Offer a slight bow or nod. Even in informal contexts, a bow is a polite way to greet others. The depth of your bow reflects the level of respect, so a small waist bow or a simple head nod is suitable for casual encounters.
- If you are unfamiliar with the people you are greeting, opt for a more formal bow and save gentle nods for friends or colleagues you know well.
Exchange handshakes. In informal settings, you can offer a handshake, but keep it light and avoid being overly firm or aggressive.
- Handshakes in Japan are typically shorter than in Europe or the United States. Instead of holding for ten seconds or more, limit the handshake to a maximum of five seconds before releasing.
Smile politely. Expressive emotions are not typically displayed in Japanese culture, so don’t be surprised if you don’t see many people smiling openly. However, if you know someone well, feel free to smile or grin without hesitation.
Using Common Japanese Phrases to Greet
Use their formal name. In public settings, it’s customary to address people by their family names rather than their first names. Using first names is seen as overly familiar and may lead to discomfort or confusion.
- If you’re unsure how to address someone, ask politely. It’s better to seek clarification than to address someone incorrectly, which can be seen as disrespectful.
Greet with “Konnichiwa.” This versatile phrase means “Hello” or “Good day” and works well in almost any situation. Whether you’re speaking to a stranger or a friend, “Konnichiwa” is a reliable and universally accepted greeting.
- When unsure, this phrase is your best option. It’s simple to pronounce and suitable for any context or person.
Bow and say “Ohayo gozaimasu” in the morning. Meaning “Good morning,” this phrase is an excellent way to greet someone formally at the start of the day. It’s appropriate for everyone, from hotel staff to friends and colleagues.
Bow and say “Konbanwa” in the evening. Similar to the previous step, use “Konbanwa” to greet people in the evening. While it might seem excessive, Japanese culture values formal greetings at all times of the day. Don’t hesitate to be overly polite when greeting others.
Greet each person in a group individually. Unlike many cultures where a single greeting suffices for a group, Japanese etiquette requires addressing each person separately. For example, if you meet a group of three people, bow and greet each one individually, turning to face them as you do so.
- This might feel awkward initially, but it will become more natural with practice. Take every opportunity to practice, and it will soon feel effortless.
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Always prioritize politeness and formality.
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If you’re unsure how to address someone or behave in a situation, ask for guidance.
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Educate yourself on Japanese etiquette and traditions. This knowledge will boost your confidence and ease while traveling.
Important Warnings
- Be mindful of your body language. Avoid showing the soles of your feet, pointing with your finger, or making prolonged eye contact, as these actions are considered highly disrespectful.
- Do not disregard local customs during your visit to Japan or when interacting with Japanese friends. Always follow the lead of those around you.
