Japanese Spirit of Respect and Service
Business:
In business, when Japanese meet for the first time in business meeting, they usually give each other a ‘meishi’ or business card. The card tells your name, your job title, the organization you work for, your address and telephone, etc. By looking at the card, they will know who must use more polite words. Do not put it in your bag or keep it as soon as you received it, and if there is table you have to put it on the table in front of you.
After work, they usually say “Otsukaresamadeshita”, and bow to each other many times. While I was at the train station, I happened to see a group of people who bowed many times, before parting. “Why is it that their bowing seemed endless? Once is enough. They are overdoing it.” I told my husband. He replied, “You should appreciate Japanese politeness”.
Japanese bow when they say "Thank you", "Sorry", "Hello", "Good bye", "Congratulations", "Excuse me", "Good Morning", "Good night", etc. To bow to an older person or with higher position in the society, is to bend longer and deeper. Men usually bow with their hands on their side, while women bow with their hands touched in front of their thighs. The left hand must cover the right hand which signifies humbleness. In Western countries, they are used to shaking hands to greet people but Japanese feel uncomfortable about physical contact so they just bow their head instead.
The services in private or public offices are really satisfying. The employees behave in a very refined and friendly way. Probably because of competition every employee is trained to behave the best.
In parties or meetings, Japanese usually pour drinks for each other. They cannot leave each other’s glass empty unless one says, “iie, kekko desu!” But traditionally, women are supposed to be the ones who should pour drinks for men.
Home:
When you visit somebody’s house, you have to say “Ojamashimasu” which means “I am here to disturb you”. At the entrance of the house which is called ‘genkan’, there is a step and you have to take off your shoes before stepping up. After you take off your shoes, the resident of that house will then turn your shoes facing the door, so that when you leave the house it is ready for wearing. It is their way of service to the visitor. When you leave the house, you should say “Ojamashimashita” which means “I have disturbed you”.
Language
While I am learning the Japanese language, I noticed that they have polite reference to many things. They add ‘O’ or ‘Go’ in the beginning of the word, such as ‘Osara’ means plate, ‘Oshouyu’ means soy sauce, 'Gokyoudai' refers to somebody’s sibling, ‘Goshujin’ refers to somebody’s husband, and more. I realized they even have polite references for small things in the house.
Transportation:
In a train or bus, elder people, pregnant women and the handicapped are given priority to have a seat. If you are sitting and some old people are standing everybody will stare at you.
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