About Japan

1
About Japan ??
2
General
?????

• Japanese people are mostly organized and
  punctual.
• Japanese people bow when they greet each other
  rather than a handshake.
• Japanese people like to be vague in answering-
  they rarely say no out right.
• Japanese people like harmony- people are
  reluctant to disagree.
• Japanese technology is advanced.
• You dont see much rubbish in Japanese streets.
• Japanese people always care about hygiene.

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Houses-?

• Japanese people usually sleep on futons instead
  of beds.
• There are Japanese style toilets (??)and western
  style toilets (??)
• Floors are not carpet.
• Houses usually have a tatami room which a
  Japanese style room.
• Entrances are low.
• Houses are usually smaller than NZ houses.
• Local phone calls are not free.
• Entrances are low.
• Houses are often straight on to the street.

4
Habits in the house

• People always take off their shoes at the
  entrance.
• You are not allowed to step on the entrance porch
  with bare feet/ wearing socks.
• People wash themselves first before they enter
  the bath
• You are not allowed to release the plug of the
  bath because other people need to use it.
• Guests usually have a shower first. If not the
  oldest person in the household usually does it
  first.
• You wear toilet slippers when you enter the
  toilet.
• The father often has his meals with his family
  during the weekends.

5
Continue

• Japanese people use chopsticks, instead of knife
  and fork during meal time.
• You are allowed to sniff at the table but never
  blow your nose.
• During meal time, you hold the rice bowl when you
  eat rice and the bowl of the soup when youre
  drinking soup.
• You are not allowed to wear slippers in the
  tatami room.
• You usually wear slippers inside the house.
• The mother is the boss of the household. She is
  in charge of financial things.

6
Being a Guest

• Guests usually have a shower first.
• There is a special room for guests to stay.
• Guests are usually offered green tea (??)or cold
  drink.
• You bring presents for the family.
• There is a special place for the guest of
  honour to sit, so you wait to be told where to
  sit.
• Must obey the house rules all the time.

7
In the Street- ??

• Streets are clean, you dont see much rubbish.
• Public transport is excellent.
• You can buy a variety of products from vending
  machines eg. Drinks, beer, tobacco etc.
• Young people spend a lot of money on driving
  lessons before they get their drivers license.
• It is considered as bad manners if you eat or
  drink as you walk down the street.
• People often rent a parking space which may be
  further from their home.
• Cars drive on the left hand side, same as NZ.
• Streets are narrow.

8
Greetings- ??

• Surnames only are used
• First names can be used with children or your
  friend.
• Within the family you usually call someone by
  relationship instead of their name.
• Words are often used by or for one sex only
  ??????
• You bow when you greet.
• You do not have to bow to someone who is younger
  or to your friend.

9
Shopping- ???

• Department stores are expensive in Japan.
• Department store hours are usually 10-6
• Most shops have a closed day during the week.
• Change is put on a plate, not into your hand.
• Shopkeepers and staff greet as you enter.
• Cash is still the most widely used choice of
  payment.
• Most shops do no accept any credit cards.
• Japanese people usually go grocery shopping
  everyday.
• Japanese people take their own baskets when
  theyre going shopping because it is to save
  pollution and environment.

10
Restaurants etc- ???????

• You have to pay the side dish separately.
• Green tea usually accompanies Japanese food.
• You are served with a hot/cold towel ???? and a
  glass of water.
• You can have satisfying snacks at the train
  station.
• Many restaurants serve with one type of food.
• Cakes and deserts are usually bought at a cake
  shop and not on the menu.
• Japanese restaurants use wooden chopsticks ????.
• There are rooms in the restaurant where customers
  have their meal.

11
Sports- ????

• Baseball is the most popular sport in Japan.
• Soccer is also highly popular.
• Many people watch sumo every night on TV when
  there is a tournament on.
• Golf is the most played sport.
• Every year, there is a sports day at school ???
• Martial arts such as karate, kendo and judo are
  also played.

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School- ??

• Children start school at the age of six.
• Only one in-take for school and that is in April.
• There a only three terms in a school year.
• Grounds are less spacious and are not grassed.
• Lots of stairs.
• Schools use blackboards instead of whiteboard.
• You are allowed to eat in the classroom.
• You have to clean the classrooms after school.

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Other

• Usually, Japanese children have bath with their
  parents.
• Japanese students sleep very late at night.
• Japanese graveyards are more compacted together
  than NZ ones.
• Japanese children sleep with their parents when
  theyre still old.
• Western foods are similar.

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THE END