Japan & NZ

1. Japan & NZ Any culture difference? By Amy Kim

2. General • Japanese people greet each other with a bow, instead of a handshake. • Japanese people rarely say ‘no’ out right, they will be more vague in answering • Japanese people like to be organized, they like dates, timelines and timetables • People are reluctant to disagree, they like harmony • The ceilings are much lower than NZ • They always take sticker photos! • Boys aren’t allowed to take purikura amongst themselves

3. Houses • Japanese people often sleep on futons, instead of beds • Toilets look different • Local phone calls are not free • Entrances are low, watch your head! • Houses often open straight on to the street • They take bath everyday, instead of a shower • The bath is used by the males first, then females, and oldest to youngest • They live in one house for a long period of time

4. Habits in the house • They always take their shoes off at the entrance • They wash themselves all over before they get into the bath • You are allowed to sniff at the table but never blow your nose • The father often has his meals with the family only at the weekend • Japanese people use chopsticks, instead of a knife and fork for eating • The mother has her meal after everyone else has eaten • They have wooden floor, not carpet

5. Being a guest • There is a special place for the guest of honour to sit, so you wait to be told where to sit • You bring a present • Guests are usually offered green tea or a drink • They do everything to make you feel happy • They like listening to stories • When a guest arrives, the whole family gathers around

6. In the street • The public transport system is excellent • Young people spend a lot of money on driving lessons before they get a driver’s license • People often rent a parking which may be some distance their home • You can buy a wide variety of products from vending machines • There is not much ground, not being used as ‘something’ • There are no rubbish bins

7. Greetings • Surnames only are used • First names may be used with children • Within the family you usually call someone by relationship, instead of by names • Words are often used by or for one sex only • Teenage boys greet with ‘Osu’, just like ‘sup’ in English • When in a close relationship, ‘san’‘kun’‘chan’ aren’t necessary.

8. Shopping • Cash is still the most widely used choice of payment • Shopkeepers and staff greet you as you come in • Change is usually put on a plate, not into your hand • Most shops have a ‘closed’ day during the week • You can buy ‘anything’ from the 100 yen store • They offer you membership everywhere • Boys don’t really go shopping

9. Restaurants etc • You are usually served with hot/ cold towel and a glass of water • Green tea usually accompanies Japanese food • You can have a satisfying snack standing at the station • Many restaurants serve only one type of food • Cakes and deserts are usually brought at a cake shop and not on the menu • They serve you very politely • Work uniforms are kept very strictly and are neat • Fast food aren’t that popular

10. Sports • Baseball is the most popular sport • Soccer is also highly popular • Many people watch sumo every night on TV when there is a tournament on • Golf is the most played sport • There are lots of sports clubs after school • They take sports seriously • They go to sports event quite often

11. School • There is only one in-take for school and that is at the beginning of term 1 • Children start at the age of six • There are only 3 terms in a school year • School buildings are different. How? • Grounds are less spacious and are not grassed • The buildings are higher up, and takes up less space. • The juniors treat seniors very politely • They eat there lunch in there own class

12. Other differences/similarities in Culture • In school, students stay in one class and the teachers move around, unlike NZ where students move around. • In the city, There are lots of skyscrapers • It is rude to pass food between chopsticks • They eat with their bowl up in their hands