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| Pretty lamp with Japanese painting, Meijimura |
Japan’s one of the
world’s largest economies, but it’s also one of the most remote. Did you know
that of the 127 million people in Japan, only two percent are
foreign immigrants?
If you’re thinking
about taking a trip to Japan in the not-too-distant future, here are a few fun
facts to tickle your fancy.
Napping on the Job Is
Perfectly Normal
In most parts of the
world, napping on the job would be an immediate cause for termination. Not in
Japan! Japanese culture sees napping on the job as a proof of an employee’s
commitment and thoroughness. The practice is referred to as “inemuri”, and is perfectly acceptable
in Japan.
A few rules do apply:
you need to remain upright while napping and only people in specific positions
within the company are allowed to nap. Some people actually fake sleeping to
show their bosses how hard they’re working.
Slurping Is Not Only
Ok, It’s Encouraged
There are a few
universal norms when it comes to food etiquette—no speaking with your mouth
full, no blowing bubbles in your drink, etc. When it comes to etiquette in
Japan, however, some things are not only perfectly acceptable, they’re
encouraged.
Take slurping, for
example. Japanese culture dictates that when eating noodles it’s only proper
for people to slurp them down. This is supposed to
signify that you’re enjoying the meal. Just keep your burping to a minimum.
Maintaining Eye
Contact Is Offensive
In some countries it’s
considered rude not to look someone in the eye when talking to them, but not in
Japan. Eye contact in Japanese culture is often seen as a sign of aggression,
and people make an effort to look away when someone stares them in the eye.
Another body gesture
to look out for is the thumbs down motion, as traditional Japanese culture
views this as a way of telling someone off rather than showing your
disapproval.
The Way You Hold Your
Chopsticks Says a lot About You
The way you hold your
chopsticks signifies a great deal in Japan. For instance, sticking your
chopsticks upright in a bowl of rice is meant to signify an offering to the
dead, and should never be made at a restaurant. Also, crossing your chopsticks
is another taboo since it traditionally signifies death.
Japan's Trains Are so
Punctual They Give You a Certificate When They're Late
Japan’s mass-transit system is widely
regarded as one of the most efficient
systems in the world. The trains move at
lightning-fast speeds, and the buses are (almost) never late. On the off
chance that there is short a delay, the conductor will often make a formal
apology and may even provide delay certificates to the people who were waiting.
For longer delays, which are very rare,
they sometimes appear in the paper. Passengers rely heavily on Japan’s
mass-transit system, and as such are never expected to be late.
This is a guest post submitted by Arthur Baxter,
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