Culture Tips for Travelers

funeral ceremony and is therefore considered bad luck. Instead, set the food down and let the other person pick it up.
Don't stick your chopsticks "tips-first" into rice or noodles such that the ends stick straight up. Again, this is part of the funeral ceremony and is equivalent to a curse.
Don't point at people with your chopsticks, and -- if you simply must point at food with them -- point with the blunt ends, not the tips.
Do use the backs of your chopsticks when picking up food from a communal dish, not the part that goes in your mouth (families and close friends will often ignore this bit of etiquette, so don't be shocked if you see it bypassed).
Don't use your chopsticks as drumsticks, conductors' batons, magic wands, etc. It's disrespectful.
Do set your chopsticks down between mouthfuls. It keeps you from looking like a glutton.
Don't use your chopsticks to slide dishes around on the table. Use your hands.
Don't put anything on your white rice (e.g. butter, soy sauce, ketchup, etc.) that you don't see anyone else putting on theirs. I know it's yummy, but it will horrify your hosts, even while they're putting fermented beans on their own rice.
Do slurp your noodles, it cools them off and is a sign that you're enjoying your meal; but there's no need to go overboard.

INTRODUCTIONS

Don't call anyone by their first name unless they insist on it, and even then you should add an honorific "-san" to the end (i.e. Hiroko-san).
Don't ever add -san to the end of your own name or your spouse's/family members names when introducing them.
Don't hug Japanese people when you meet them.
Don't tell men they look young, or women they look beautiful.
Don't say thank you when someone compliments you, as this implies that you believe you deserve the compliment and makes you look conceited. Instead, say, "no, no" as many times as you have to.
Don't assume that a refusal of an offer (e.g. "Shall I help you carry those?" or "Would you like to try some of my shrimp?") really means no until at least the third refusal.
Don't think that "hai" means, "I agree with you." It could mean, "I understand what you said and am still listening."

GIFTS

Don't give expensive gifts, because this requires repayment in kind from the recipient.
Do give souvenirs of your country or a place you have just visited. Food or useful items are better than knick-knacks. The Japanese don't decorate their houses like Westerners.
Do give a present of equal

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