Waremono

I'm unaware as to what would be offensive towards the Japanese and so I wish to know what I must do and not do in order for me not to "lose face".

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Chiefblackhammer

I suggest doing some research online for that, there are way too many items to discuss here. However, I will leave this open as I am sure others will weigh in and I think it is a good subject for discussion.

I will list some sites to help:

Japanese Business Culture, Doing Business in Japan, Japanese business practices and awareness, protocol and Japanese customs, negotiating, business etiquette
Japanese Customs, Etiquette, and Culture -- U.S. Commercial Service Japan

Both of those are more geared to business relationships but they should shed some light on general differences, as another suggestion, remember google is your friend.

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Ahiko

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Rave_Grip

So you want to know about Japan eh? xD
Here is a link, but ignore the first two or three paragraphs, it's just about the poster's life.

So you want to live in Japan? - Japanese Culture and You - Outpost Nine Forums

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Waremono

Thank you Moderator-san, I apologize for not making my topic more specific. I heard from a freind that wearing a kimono, left side over the right is a symbol of death...is this true?

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Sei-chan

Really, as a foreigner, they'll teach you all this when you go over there. Even Japanese themselves (not all, but especially the younger ones) do not know how to put on a kimono (it's incredibly complicated, and needs the teamwork of two people) nor can they stand sitting in Seiza position, legs tucked under. It's fun to try but your legs get numb extremely quickly. I think for a girl if you can no longer stand sitting in seiza, sitting with the legs to one side is fine, just don't ever, ever sit cross-legged. That's a guy's way of sitting.

It's good to learn everything, but they'll understand, and you learn as you go.

I think what you need to worry about most is trying not to say anything offensive, or asking any question that is too direct and personal. It'll make the Japanese uncomfortable.

Waremono

Ok, but I have another question.
What would I say to adress someone in Japan that I don't know, would I call them "Hey you!" or....?

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Sei-chan

To attract the attention or address strangers:
"Ano...sumimasen ga..."
or just "ano..." or just "sumimasen..."
The whole trailing your voice off makes it sound even more Japanese and polite when talking to strangers.

If you do not know the person, but it is an old lady or old man, feel free to use grandmother "obaasan" or grandfather ojiisan to address them. Do not use sister or brother for someone slightly older than you if you do not know them, though, as it could be interpreted as a rude "Sistah" or something like that. It's fine to use with host family or your friend's sisters or brothers.

You should never use the word "anata", although we all know it means you. This is because wives usually use the term when addressing their dear husbands. "Anata~~*giggle**hand over mouth*" Oh, and using "Oi" may be fine if you are a guy and talking to your friends, but girls speak more polite, and they would be seen as rough if they used "oi" all the time, even to their friends.

I'm just making everything confusing, though. Stick with Sumimasen... and Ano... for strangers.

Hope I helped =).

atomik_sprout

Actually, you're not supposed to stick your chopsticks in the rice standing up, because that is how food if offered to spirits.

Also, you aren't supposed to pass food from one set of chopsticks to another, due to the fact that it is the way they place the ashes of the deceased into funeral urns.

Also--and this is way off the topic of chopsticks--it's advised to blow your nose in discretion. It is considered impolite to blow your nose within eyesight or earshot of Japanese people.

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Waremono

Alright, that was very insightful!
I have a few other questions also but I'll go over them one at a time.
What would be apropriate for me to wear in Japan?
(I know that you can wear casual clothes, but I want to know when a kimono or a yukata are apropriate also)

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Sei-chan

Wear regular clothes. be sure when you go over there to buy tons of Engrish shirts to show your friends back home, they lol me so much.

People usually only wear yukata during summer festivals and if you are staying at a ryokan, a traditional japanese inn or at the hot springs. I don't know of any other specific time that women wear kimono except new year's and marriage ceremonies. Many older Japanese prefer to wear traditional japanese clothes, while most girls do not even know how to put a kimono on. Also, writers and even manga-ka like to wear traditional japanese clothes. To be eccentric, I guess. And of course those dealing with traditional Japanese culture would: kabuki actors, tea ceremony masters, traditional japanese martial artists...

But considering the situations and type of people I mentioned above, it's clear that most Japanese don't usually wear their traditional clothes. It's cumbersome to put on and very uncomfortable to walk in; many really prefer casual clothes every day. Concerning formal ceremonies for work and school and stuff, they usually wear western suits and dresses...unless the ceremony deals with something traditional, like a tea ceremony.

It seems you really want to wear one, though =). I'd also like to don a kimono, just for the experience.