Japanese stereotypes

For a foreigner, an attempt to understand what exactly is correct etiquette in the Japanese society can often seem to be an almost impossible task. There are so many different codes of behaviour for so many occasions, that the choice is bewildering.

Once you have spent some time in Japan, and formed relationships with people, you will soon discover that the custom of giving presents is widely observed. The act of giving a gift on a certain occasion strengthens the relationship between giver and receiver, and says so much without the need for words. If you are moving into a neighborhood for the first time, it is a good idea to present your neighbours with a small gift, preferably some souvenirs from your own country. Modest is best, an extravagant gift will embarrass them, and ruin the expression of goodwill you had intended to convey. They in turn will return a gift and thus you have established your arrival on a friendly note.

Gifts

The following are examples of when a gift would be appropriate on a trip to Japan:

• to any and all business associates;

• to new friends that you may make;

• to home stay families and individual family members;

• to any visits to a Japanese home;

• to relatives.

As well, gifts are given on congratulatory occasions such as birthdays (especially at ages 60, 70, 77, 88, and 99), anniversaries, weddings, births, children's festivals, business openings, new homes, promotions, children passing entrance exams or graduation. Gifts are also important when returning from a trip for family, friends, and co-workers. This is one reason that the Japanese tourist is a valued customer in other countries.

How to give

Gifts are always wrapped in paper, or at least in a fashionable box or container. Gifts are presented and received with a sense of humility and respect. Use both hands to give the gift and a bow. Often you say, "This is just a small thing" or "This is just a box of cookies". Receive the gift with both hands and a bow. Traditionally, gifts are not opened at the time they are received, but as a Westerner you might want or be expected to open the gift. It would be best to ask if you may open it, opening it carefully and respectfully. Do not crumple up the wrapping paper, but fold it nicely.

What to give

• money (clean bank notes) is appropriate for certain occasions such as weddings, funerals, births, and birthdays. Money must always be concealed or wrapped. There are special envelopes for each occasion available at stationery stores;

• food is a very common gift as Japanese homes are small and do not have much room for souvenirs or knickknacks;

• cookies, expensive candy;

• good quality teas and coffee;

• handicraft items or items native to a particular area.

What not to give

• items that symbolize the severing of a relationship such as scissors, knives, or letter openers;

• items in sets of four, a set is considered to be five, unlike the Western custom of a set of four, six, or eight;

• items totaling an even number, such as four flower stems (the number four symbolizes death); items totaling nine (the number symbolizes suffering);

• flowers are generally used at times of illness, death, or courting only;

• white and yellow chrysanthemums are for funerals.

If you have got as far as being invited to someone's home, then I do not need to say that you MUST take off your shoes at the door. Your hosts will offer you a pair of slippers to wear. Slippers should always be changed on the way in to the toilet, and definitely on the way out.

House guests

The Japanese do not entertain nor invite guests to stay overnight in their homes as is done in the West. If you are fortunate enough to have a home-stay visit, you should understand that your Japanese hosts have probably gone very much out of their way to ensure your comfort and enjoyment. Japanese homes are not large and house guests are not left on their own. Typically, there will always be someone with you, all your meals will be cooked and served to you, and you will be given the best sleeping arrangements that will inconvenience the rest of the family. The Japanese family will treat you like royalty while you are guests in their home.

Toasting

It is quite common for the Japanese to toast, usually with beer or sake. If you do not drink alcoholic beverages, it is quite acceptable to toast with orange juice or even green tea. The important point is that you share in a group celebration.

Smoking

Typically, Japanese businessmen entertain during the evening hours by drinking, eating, and smoking. It is not unusual to smoke and eat at the same time. In more formal situations, smoking might be refrained at the beginning of an event. At any rate you should not be openly alarmed with the degree of smoking. Cigar smoking is uncommon.

Being on time

As a general rule, the Japanese are always on time. If an event is to begin at 09.00, then it is best to arrive a few minutes earlier to get yourself organized and be prepared to begin right at 09.00 (not 09.05).

Table seating

The guests face the door or entrance while the hosts face the guests. The highest ranking guest and host face each other at the centre of the table. As a guest, you should wait to be seated by your host.

Guests are usually served Japanese green tea to begin with. Milk and sugar are not served with Japanese tea. Again, you should wait before taking the first sip until the host has invited you to drink by saying, "Dozo".

Cars

The most important person enters the car first and sits right behind the driver in the back seat. He or she is the last person to exit the car. Next, the second and third passengers sit respectively with the least important person sitting in the front seat next to the driver.

GERMAN STEREOTYPES

Real Germans want everything at least 99,999999 %. When they purchase any product it should be 100 % at a 1 Euro price. Maximum quality and minimum price.

Many real German men love their cars more than their children. While children usually don't mind

their parents, the car never fails to obey the commands of its driver.

Real Germans are in love with their jobs. A German without a recognized profession is a nobody.

There is a rumor that Germans have no sense of humour. This is absolutely false. They do have a sense of humor, in fact there is even a non-translatable word for their sense of humor, "Schadensfreude". There are two words stuck in this word. The first one is "Schadens" which means "misfortune", "damage", "injury". The other word is "Freude" which means "joy", "happiness". In other words, it literally means "joy for another's misfortune", which is why Mr. Bean is more popular in Germany than in Britain. Germans do not feel any sympathy for Mr. Bean. They are not laughing with him; they are laughing at him.

Real Germans are cleanliness fanatics. Usually they can only relax and stop worrying when they use their toilet at home, because then they are absolutely 100% sure that it was cleaned properly, because they did this themselves, after the cleaning lady cleaned it first. The chemical industry profits from this obsession, because the Germans are European leaders in the number of cleaning agents, powders and soaps that are purchased annually.

Real Germans believe in the soundness of the education system. The fact that they rank No. 25 in the list of developed countries is simply considered as irrelevant, although they are doing what they can to prove that this statistic is based on poor testing results not from real German children, but from immigrants from other countries.

Real Germans love clubs. Clubs in Germany even have a special financial tax-free status. There are clubs for everything from bowling to knitting, singing and rowing, for animal lovers of

all kinds, even clubs for people who have been abducted by aliens.