Tips for traveling in Japan

Business manner - After 5 -

Last Updated (Monday, 25 August 2008 23:29) Thursday, 10 July 2008 00:00

Most business entertaining is done in restaurants or bars after business hours. Often in karaoke or "hostess bars." Businesswomen should not attend "hostess bars."

Japanese rarely entertain in the home. If you are invited to the home of your Japanese host, consider it a great honor and display a tremendous amount of appreciation.

Let the host order the meal and pay. Business may be discussed at dinner during these events.

Never pour a drink yourself; always allow someone else to do it for you. It means friendship.It is perfectly acceptable to slurp your noodles. Doing so will exhibit your enjoyment of your food. To do otherwise, indicates that your meal was not a pleasant one.

If you do take your host out insist upon paying. The Japanese will refuse but insist. They will prefer that you choose a Western-style restaurant when entertain them.

Key phrases to learn are "itadakimasu" at the beginning of dinner, and "gochisou-sama-deshita" at the end. It is polite use these phrase and it will show you host that you have enjoyed the meal. "Sumimasen" (excuse-me) is a very useful term to add to your vocabulary along with the phrase
"kekko desu" (I've had enough).