Culture Clues & Cues

• Less than 1 percent of people in Japan are Christian.

• More students from Japan come to study in American schools than from any other country in the world.

• Gift giving is important in Japan. Teachers will often receive gifts from Japanese families several times during the year.

• Many Japanese define themselves in terms of groups to which they belong. (In America, much of the definition of self comes from individualistic accomplishments.)

On bowing:

• Bowing represents humility. A person elevates, honors, and respects the other person by humbling or lowering himself. The lower he bows, the more he is honoring or respecting the other party.

• A Westerner is not expected to initiate a bow, but a bow should always be returned (except from personnel at department stores and restaurants who bow to welcome you, and to whom you can nod in return if you like). To not bow in return is similar to refusing a handshake.

• The person of lower status usually initiates the bow, bows the lowest, and is the last one to rise.

• The most frequent bow is a rather informal bow of about 15 degrees and is held for one or two seconds.

• A deeper bow is used for a superior or for a formal occasion such as a first meeting. It is usually about 30 degrees and is held for about three seconds.

• Men usually leave their hands at their sides while bowing, but women usually place them together on their thighs with their fingertips overlapping or touching. Heels should be together.

• If you rise from your bow and the other person hasn't risen yet, you should bow again.

• On most occasions, especially when saying good-bye, there are several bows by all parties.