Quote:
Originally Posted by NicoleS
I am a Navy wife living in Japan and I have peircings and they have never been an issue, but I only have my tongue in here. My ears are done all the way up. The fashion is rather lost in the 80s style. It is a very formal culture though, even in everyday exchanges. You will learn to bow a lot as it is a big part of the culture, when you thank someone or say goodbye you bow. You bow a lot, so start practicing now. Don't just say Doumo to somone for thank you as it is rather rude if the person is older than you. You bow and say the full Doumo Arigato Goziamas. I know I have slaughtered the spelling or just use arigato. It is a wonderful culture and you are very lucky to get to experience it in the fashion you are. I love it here. Oh, don't walk and eat, they find that repulsing. Don't forget to slurp your soup it is a sign that you like it and considered polite here.
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Slurping, polite? I definitely did not know that, heh, same with the walking-and-eating (although the only mobile eating habit I've gotten into is eating a Subway sandwich while driving, I'd really rather sit and eat but when I'm late to work I have to improvise). I've honestly never bowed before, so that's definitely something I'll need to work on. Going there and learning about all the cultural taboos and customs the hard way is going to be very, very interesting to say the least, haha.
I'm considering taking Japanese lessons outside of my university course, if I can fit it into my schedule (I'm feeling ambitious and am also taking on Wing Chun and possibly Muay Thai this fall, so theres about a 4 or 5 hour window between college and the studio), so that I can go to Japan at least once before I actually study there and not be completely behind a language barrier.