By Nicole and Paige

Greeting Table manners Giving gifts

 It depends on the person who you bow to  If the person is in higher social status or older than you are, you would bow deeper and longer  Men usually keep their hands in both sides  Women put their hands together on the navel  The most frequent bow is about 15 degrees

Before a meal you say: “ いただきます ” Meaning: I gratefully receive this meal

After the meal you say: “ ごちそうさま ” Meaning: Thank you for the meal

Do not blow your nose at the table or in public Empty dishes to the last grain of rice When at the table don’t talk about toilet related subjects

Do not burp at the table or in the public After dinner move your dishes back into it’s original place.

In order to thank someone, people often present “temiyage” which is a Japanese sweet or sake When Japanese people return from their trip, they bring home some souvenirs called, “Omiyage” to friends or relatives

If you rest after eating, you will become a cow If a funeral hearse drives past, you must hide your thumb. If you don’t your parents will die because the Japanese word for thumb means “Parent finger” and hiding it is considered protection for your parents The first dream of a New Year will come true.

Many business such as shops or restaurants have a beckoning cat called “Maneki Neko” to bring in luck, fortune and money If you see a spider in the morning it means good luck so you shouldn’t kill it. But if you see one at night it means back luck so you kill it If you catch a crows eye, something bad will happen

If you go to a funeral you should throw salt over yourself before entering your home because it is believed to be cleansing. If you write any name in red ink you are calling that person in dead. Cutting your fingernails or toenails at night is bad luck. If you do so you will not be able to be with your parents at their deathbed.