Q. Do I stand up when a woman walks into the room? Answer: Whenever someone from outside the office, man or woman, enters the room and it appears that people will be introduced to that person, the men and women in the office should stand out of respect. Similarly in a home, everyone should stand […]
Q. Why are the hands clapped when praying at shrines (Shintoism) and placed together when praying at temples (Buddhism)? Answer: The reading of the kanji to clap one’s hands is hakushu. This kanji can also be read as kashiwade meaning to clap one’s hands in prayer at a Shinto shrine. It is said that in […]
Q. Why are the Japanese always so quick to pour sake into another’s sake cup? Answer: There are many terms referring to sake in Japanese. The expression, sakazuki wo kawasu means to solidify a promise to each other by drinking sake together. Another expression concerning sake is, sake wo chÅdai suru or to be looked […]
