I have a Japanese delegation visiting my work soon. I just know that they will buy us all a small gift, as is customary in their culture. I work for a government organisation and we are not allowed to waste taxpayers' money on gifts for visiting delegations. Whenever we have Japanese visitors we always feel embarrassed at having nothing to offer in return.
My question falls into two parts:
1) Do they expect a gift in return? After all, we are the hosting organisation and they are thanking us for our hospitality. Do they expect us to reciprocate, eg as thanks for their interest?
2) If it is usual to expect a gift in return, I would like to make one out of my own pocket. What would be a suitable gift for a Japanese visitor to the UK? There would be about 8-10 people in the delegation and obviously I would like to be respectful while keeping costs down! Gifts
Gift giving is very important both business and personal situations
Style is everything. The gift itself is of little importance, the ceremony surrounding it is what matters.
Always wrap gifts. And choose the paper carefully, don鈥檛 give anything wrapped in white as it symbolizes death. Don鈥檛 use bright colours or bows to wrap the gift either. It is better to have the place you bought the gift to warp it to ensure that it is appropriate.
Give your host some warning during the evening that you intend to give them a present. Don鈥檛 surprise your host.
Give the gift with both hands and accept gifts with both hands.
Generally, gifts will not be opened while you are there. If your host insist that you open the gift they have given you, do so carefully. They take pride in gift wrapping, show that you appreciate the effort.
Do not give gifts in odd numbers or the number four, odd numbers are bad luck and four sounds like the word for death in Japanese.
Gifts should be given at the end of a visit.
Do not admire anything belonging to your host too closely. The Japanese love to please so you may end up taking it home as a gift.
Good gift ideas are top choice beef, fruit and alcohol such as brandy, quality whiskey and wine
Gestures
Avoid using large hand gestures, unusual facial expressions and any dramatic movements. The Japanese do not talk with their hands and to do so could distract your host.
The "OK" sign; in Japan it means money. Avoid using it
Don鈥檛 point 鈥r blow your nose in public
Don鈥檛 crowd people or stand too close. Because the Japanese live in such a densely populated area, they value their personal space.
A smile can have double meaning. It can express either joy or displeasure. Use caution with your facial expressions. They can be easily misunderstood.
When meeting anyone in a business environment for the first time, it is customary to exchange "meishi" (business cards). You should always present yours to the receiver using both hands to hold onto the corners as you pass it forward, stating your name and company as you do so. On receiving a person's meishi, accept it with both hands and then study carefully what is written on it. Very often business cards will have Japanese on one side and English on the reverse, so you should be able to understand what is written. If you are in a formal situation, it is proper to place the meishi face up on the table in front of you and refer to it as necessary. If it is in a less formal setting you may put the meishi away after looking at it, but please ensure to put it somewhere suitable. Just dropping it into a pocket maybe seen as rude.
When visiting the office of a business associate, you will probably be shown into a meeting room and asked to wait. Most meeting rooms will consist of four or more chairs set around a table. As the honored guest it is important that you take the seat furthest from the door (although that maybe modified if it is a big conference style room) and you should stand up and bow or shakes hands when someone comes in the room. When receiving guests you would reverse the process, with you sitting on the side closest to the door, with the senior member of your party furthest from the door on your side. This "furthest from the door" approach also applies in most other situations, including restaurants, bars, taxis etc etc.
Within your own office life can be somewhat more relaxed although a certain amount of ceremony, involving lots of bowing and scurrying around, will be observed when senior managers are present. Generally though a nod of recognition is fine for those you work with, perhaps together with a comment on the weather or a similar subject. On arriving at your office in the morning a loudly spoken "ohaiyo gozaimasu" or "Good morning" should suffice with an equally loud "osaki ni shitsure shimasu" (literally "excuse my rudeness for leaving before you") when you leave at the end of the day. This will in turn be usually answered by a chorus of "gokurosama" or "o-tsukaresama", by those remaining behind.
Confrontation is frowned upon and avoided in Japanese society and this applies to the business world too. A common observation that many foreigners make is that it is impossible to get a straight answer from a Japanese counterparty in a business environment and that every request is met with an uncommitted remark. In this situation, it is important not to get pushy but just go with the flow. Even though a definite no or yes is not forthcoming, you more than likely are making progress and you will eventually get to a situation where everyone agrees, although it may not be at that particular time. Try to get a confirmed date when you can expect to receive an answer and make it clear what you are hoping to achieve, while still respecting the integrity of the other party.
The final point to be aware of is the perennial worry that both Japanese and foreigners have when they meet - should one bow or shake hands!! It is not uncommon for a Japanese company to require all it's new employees to go through a rigorous training to ensure that they know to what angle they should to, to whom and in what situation. No one will expect you to understand to that level. A simple extended nod of the head followed by a short handshake is probably the easiest compromise, but as long as you show the counterparty respect and politeness, all will be content.
Hope this all helps. Sorry if it wasn't clear. Many people/firms do not bother with gifts, so Japanese, Korean and Chinese visitors are not offended if they do not receive one, however they are delighted when one takes the trouble of choosing and offering one. The etiquette for all these countries is very similar. Report It
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