Dining customs vary greatly from country to country. So, the prospect of having a business dinner abroad can be a testing experience. This is especially true in a country like Japan. Not only is the food very different from western cuisine, but, the utensils you use for eating take some time to master if you’ve never used them before. Here is a guide to help you avoid making dining faux pas on your business trip to Japan.
Firstly, for a business dinner, it is advisable to dress as you might when going to a business meeting. Wear a dark-colored suit with minimal accessories. For women, a skirt suit is best, with low-heeled shoes. Greetings and introductions are important in Japan. You can find advice on the appropriate greetings and typical business card exchange in one of our previous articles on business etiquette in Japan.
Drinking Traditions
When you are pouring drinks, you must pour for everyone else first and then allow someone to pour your drink for you. You shouldn’t pour your own drink because it is considered rude and greedy.
You also shouldn’t drink unless everyone has a full glass, and it is customary to drink together after saying, “kampai”, which is the Japanese “cheers”. Take your cues from your fellow diners as to how much to drink as some drinks are downed in one shot.
chopstick etiquette is alien to people from western countries, so it is very important to learn what is right and what is wrong
Chopstick Etiquette
Appropriate chopstick etiquette is alien to people from western countries, so it is very important to learn what is right and what is wrong. But, before you even leave your own country you should practice using chopsticks to eat because that will be well-received by the Japanese people you’re planning to do business with.
Dos and don’ts for eating with chopsticks:
- Never stick your chopsticks vertically in a bowl of rice as this resembles a ritual practice at a funeral. Instead, place them flat at the side of your plate, on a chopstick rest if there is one.
- In the same way that it is rude to point with a knife or fork, pointing, or talking, with chopsticks is also considered ill-mannered.
- Do not pass food from chopstick to chopstick. If you wish to share food with someone, present the entire plate to them so they can lift what they want from there themselves.
- Don’t skewer your food with chopsticks. If you can’t use them, it is okay to ask for a knife and fork instead.
- Avoid sucking on your chopsticks, or touching or scratching yourself with them.
Polite Eating Habits
In most restaurants you will be offered a hot or cold wet towel. This is for you to clean your hands with before you eat, and during the meal if you need it. It’s NOT used to wash your face.
Sushi can be one of the most common food you’ll receive during a Japanese dining experience. If you’re already familiar with sushi, you will know that it is served with soy sauce and wasabi. When pouring your soy sauce into the dipping bowl that is provided to each diner, do so sparingly as leaving food on plates is considered wasteful.
When dipping your sushi, dip the fish side, not the rice side as this could cause it to break up and look unappetising floating around in your sauce. It is also an insult to the chef if you mix the wasabi with your soy sauce in the bowl as this overpowers the delicate flavor of the fish. Instead, place a dab of wasabi directly onto the fish before you eat it. Then, enjoy!
These are just some of the main tips for eating in Japan. Don’t panic if you forget one or two of them. Japanese people are friendly and accommodating towards foreigners, so they will forgive you for not knowing all of their customs. However, if you make an effort to learn and practice these Japanese dining customs while you are there, your hosts will hold you in high esteem.
Learning dining customs is not difficult, but it can greatly improve the impression you make on your Japanese hosts.
