How does one respectfully greet someone in Japan?

Every country has different cultural greetings. I was wondering if handshaking is ok in Japan? Or do they have their own cultural greeting. I'm not talking about greeting in their language but more the body language.

Best Answer

As long as you are polite for western standards it is usually fine.

Handshake is OK although not common among Japanese people. Some Japanese businessman go ahead with handshakes when greeting foreigners, though. Hugs, kisses and other close contact, must be avoided and never ever tried.

Slight bow while shaking hands would be just perfect.

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How do you address respect in Japan?

San is the most commonly used respectful title placed someone's first or last name, regardless of their gender or marital status. Sama is a more formal respectful title \u2014 use it after the family names of your clients, customers, or those to whom respect is due.

How do Japanese officials greet?

Meeting and Greeting

A handshake is appropriate upon meeting. The Japanese handshake is limp and with little or no eye contact.

Some Japanese bow and shake hands. The bow is a highly regarded greeting to show respect and is appreciated by the Japanese. A slight bow to show courtesy is acceptable.

How do you show respect to Japanese people?

In Japan, people greet each other with a bow. The more respect or formality you'd like to convey, the deeper the bow. For friends and casual acquaintances, a small inclination of the neck and head will do.

How do you greet a Japanese person for the first time?

The greeting that the Japanese people use in their own language when meeting somebody for the first time is \u201chajimemashite.\u201d This translates to either, \u201cNice to meet you,\u201d in the English language.

Japanese Greetings

More answers regarding how does one respectfully greet someone in Japan?

Answer 2

Japan is pretty well-known throughout the world for its bowing culture. If you are in a semi-crowded place, you are almost guaranteed to see numerous people bowing at each other as they greet or say goodbye, so just mimic them. A slight bow works - I would recommend ignoring any articles on the internet that over-stress the complexity or the importance of the angle/degree of bowing unless perhaps you are greeting someone of extremely high importance. The truth is bowing is really easy once you see a few other people do it.

Japanese people are well-aware that many other cultures greet by handshake, and some people will thus be eager to use a handshake with non-Japanese people.

Either way works.

Answer 3

From my experience the best way for a tourist is to wave a hand and say "Hello".

Many Japanese are interested in practicing their english so it may be a good and easy way to start a conversation with a stranger.

For "westernized" Japanese, business or being introduced to a Japanese by a friend (including women) a handshake is ok and no more.

Answer 4

Japanese style would be to make eye contact bow, and then exchange a business card. This won't be expected from a westerner. Also you might dress up a little better than you would back home.

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