Social Rules

Do not clean your fingernails or bite your fingernails.

Do not kiss in public.

Do not hug in public. It is impolite. So is any other form of bodily contact.

Take of your shoes when entering a house. Wear either slippers or socks if slippers are not provided. Do this process quickly and quietly.

Do not look into the kitchen of who you are staying in.

Cover your mouth when using a toothpick.

Do not walk on tatami mats with shoes.

Slurp your noodles loudly when eating them, it shows your appreciation.

Do not wear your toilet slippers in ANY other room.

Be careful with you chopsticks (hashii).

When someone asks you if you like something or are comfortable, say yes.

Avoid eye contact (staring).

Do not eat and walk, it is offensive. Benches are almost always provided for you.

Do not shout.

If you do not know someone, put -san after their name. If someone is your friend (girl), put -chan or -kun (boy). Never use these after you own, EVER!

Do not wear your slippers on a tatami mat.

Gift giving is very popular.

When taking a bath, DO NOT drain out the water when you are done. Others will use it, unless you are the last. You will probably never be last because they always let guest go first.

Let your host pour your drink, never pour your own.