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I think the fold it too. >_>''
That must suck at your birthday. They have to wait for them to fold it up neatly...XD



But they all shower and get washed off first I think. The tub is just to relax in? I feel like a know-it-all. gonk

I only been in Japan once and i've picked up alot from the culture. I was there in the summer time, very humite indeed. I saw how the japanese had hankerchifs on them to wipe the sweat off of them. They also use them for drying off their hands. Theres no paper towels in the restrooms, so i to buy one, or else i had to wipe my hands on my pants! gonk The japanese are very nice as well. i went to an arcade in Narita. i was looking at these two gentalmen playing a drum game. i talk to them and they kind of knew english, while i knew a little japanese. after that chat about where i was from and they where from, they treated me to a dinner. they were so nice to me. i'm going back next year and meet more japanese people. xd hope to go in July heart xd heart xd

In Japan, you are always served with a noodle jar on the middle in table and your wife or either a child will serve it for you. If you are child, you'll serve most people. I never liked that rule.

After Christmas everything is immediately packed up and New years decorations come out. I believe it's the 29th? that they clean everything in the house so that everything can be like new for a new year. During New Years and three days afterwards everything is closed. Also grocery stores sell these packs of food, oechi boxes, it's full of stuff that dosn't required to be cooked like dried fish, fruit, etc.. because you shouldn't cook for those three days. And you shouldn't brush the sidewalks because you'll brush away all the good luck. Oh! Can't believe I almost forgot, they send new years cards (nengajou) usually decorated with the animal of the coming year (this year is the year of the dog), these are usually sent out from early-mid December.

For bathing, they clean themselves outside of the bathtub and then get into the bathtub to relax.

Monkeys go kya- kya-. xd

Tattos are frowned upon because usually criminals have them so try not to show them off if you have any. Tattoed Japanese aren't allowed to use public hotsprings.

Someone brought up how they usually carry handkerchirfs because bathrooms don't usually have towels. Don't worry if you don't have one because business will have people giving out free tissues with their logo or something everywhere.

Post offices are marked with a T like symbol, and I believe their green instead of blue like here. Post offices do banking services too which are cheaper than the actual banks themselves, so a lot of people have accounts at the post office. (Tegami-letter)

Supposively age guessing is normal, so if someone comes up to you asking to guess theirs or guessing yours, don't freak.

Pouring your own wine or other alchoholic drink tells them your an alchoholic, so let them pour it for you.

Don't take food out of the serving dishes with the side of the chopsticks you eat on, this is absolutely disgusting, instead use the other side.

Before a battle samurai would burn incense in their helmet so if their opponent sliced off their head they would get the scent of the incense. eek

There was also something that was like the samurai code for everyone. I wish I could remember it now, it was very interesting stuff.

And question for the ones i'm hearing about presents. I thought you were suppose to open you present privetly and thank the giver the next day?

If any of these are wrong, I apologize, i've never been to Japan. These are just things my Sensei has taught me or I have read somewhere down the line.

HAI! soudesu! (yes! thats correct)
If you leave the chopstocks there, its considered rude. so when putting them down, you're supposed to rest them like so:



I hope this is helpful ^^

I thought someone would have explained this. The other guy after you explained some of it, but not all. You can stick the chopsticks in the food (though most people will shovel it quietly) but it can't be upright, like Americans do when they're kids, they pretend to put a flag on it. And don't stab it, either. Ya, don't do that. gonk

Hmm...don't touch any of the buttons on the toilet. <_<

I read that Japanese people usually don't unwrap in front of the gift-giver, and instead wait till after the person has left. Tomorrow they will praise the gift.

If you are eating at someone's house (like a host) eat everything on the table. If you have food allergies or are a vegetarian or something, tell them. But don't eat it just because they gave it to you (especially food allergies) because they will feel as if they have disrespected you.

Ever read a manga or watched anime? Most have, and the body language they do is used in real life, as well. Rubbing the back of your head does represent embarrasment. One cool body language I found is an old one: put your chin in between your index and thumb, like a "hmm", but look of to the side mischeviously. It loosely tells "I'm cool".

If invited to someone's house, bring a gift, similiar to the French. Especially if it is known you are from a different country, bring something from your country specifically. (That means buying souveniers in America before traveling.)

That's...all folks. <_< Thanks to TheJapanesePage.com.

1) drinking miso soup. japanese drink it as if its water or tea. You bring up the bowl to your lips while one hand's fingers support the base while the other hand is horizontal against the bowl and touching the side to tip it towards your lips. Slurp like your life depends on it. XD

2) eating rice. you generally hold the bowl with your left hand and bring it up right near your chin. tip the bowl to yourself also so the rice doesnt slip out and make a mess.

3) When visiting a friend for dinner or w.e, bring a gift. Not an expensive gift, but like a box of apples, melons, oranges, or cake. Its disrespectful to just go there empty handed.

4) if you are a homestay guest at a japanese person's house .You will generally be the first person to take the bath because...you are the guest. So normally, you have first dibbs on the cleanest water XD. Just dont pee in it or go in it right after you take off your clohtes. Take a shower, and then go in it because usually the bath is just for after soaking for relaxation.
((if some information is wrong, just correct me. ^.^))