The usual communication mistakes in Japan.
Communicating with Japanese people can be trickier than first thought. People of Japan whom can speak foreign languages are usually interested having conversations with foreigners, but people are usually shy to start conversations because they shame their language skills.
Until end of eighteenth centaury Japans have had very little in touch with foreigners, although there are some remarks in history before 19th century when foreigners have been in contact with Japan. This is also part the reason why Japanese people are not usually very skilled in foreign languages.
Japanese children get usually shier after entering high school; Girls are often shier than boys.
Avoid sarcasm and irony, because it is not usually polite or well understood in Japan. I recommend start make friends with international community.
The English language instructors have information about locations and services of your living area. Also communication with English instructors is easier because there is no language barrier.
Japanese people do not speak for unknown people very often, if they do, they often do it because of the need to gain information. People who communicate with each others in: restaurants, trains, buses or any other social environment are almost always: acquaintances, colleges, school friends, neighbours, family members, relatives, or friend's friends. These people usually form a group, where communication is done. Outsider of this group is hard to get inside the group if he is not someone previously mentioned group member. Lonely traveller can sometimes be watched with conserving eye, by the group.
Communication language is of course Japanese and that strengthens, that foreigner is not likely to be part of the group if the person does not speak fluent Japanese or become interdicted by group member.
This way communication works for small time, but usually communication is lost after group gets separated. Having Japanese friend inside group of foreigners opens up the communication channels and after that lot of Japanese people feel more relaxed in conversation. The best way to make friends is within company of another Japanese person, when other people notice that language barrier is exceeded. This is when people start making communications with foreigners more openly
Most Japanese people also downplay their abilities and this takes time to understand from foreigners. This downplaying can be seen in conversations by standard behaviour such as: When person starts to praise another by telling, you are very wise or you have very nice hair, it is also very common that Japanese people praises foreigners Japanese language ability or ability to eat with chopstics. In these situations it is good idea to be polite and humble and remember that person you are talking to is just downplaying his own abilities or being polite.
Japanese people avoid saying no, what leads often to situations where foreigner waits help or favour from Japanese person, because Japanese person has answered to foreigner in agreeable tune. Japanese person might have meant no but foreigner usually does not understand that. Refusal can sometimes be hard to understand, smile and silence sometimes means no even though response would have been in agreeable tune. .
Giving business cards is tradition which is often used in Japan. It is recommended that always give business card when new people are met. In some situations it is still recommended to be cautious when giving business card. When receiving business card do not just put it in pocket, but show respect and gratitude when you achieve one.
Friendship is always about communication of two- or more people. Person's attitude, communications skills, opinions are usually those characteristics what determine who will be friends with whom.
uum what do you think ?☝
**edited** should be now easier to read. Thanks for comments, insights and advices.
Communicating with Japanese people can be trickier than first thought. People of Japan whom can speak foreign languages are usually interested having conversations with foreigners, but people are usually shy to start conversations because they shame their language skills.
Until end of eighteenth centaury Japans have had very little in touch with foreigners, although there are some remarks in history before 19th century when foreigners have been in contact with Japan. This is also part the reason why Japanese people are not usually very skilled in foreign languages.
Japanese children get usually shier after entering high school; Girls are often shier than boys.
Avoid sarcasm and irony, because it is not usually polite or well understood in Japan. I recommend start make friends with international community.
The English language instructors have information about locations and services of your living area. Also communication with English instructors is easier because there is no language barrier.
Japanese people do not speak for unknown people very often, if they do, they often do it because of the need to gain information. People who communicate with each others in: restaurants, trains, buses or any other social environment are almost always: acquaintances, colleges, school friends, neighbours, family members, relatives, or friend's friends. These people usually form a group, where communication is done. Outsider of this group is hard to get inside the group if he is not someone previously mentioned group member. Lonely traveller can sometimes be watched with conserving eye, by the group.
Communication language is of course Japanese and that strengthens, that foreigner is not likely to be part of the group if the person does not speak fluent Japanese or become interdicted by group member.
This way communication works for small time, but usually communication is lost after group gets separated. Having Japanese friend inside group of foreigners opens up the communication channels and after that lot of Japanese people feel more relaxed in conversation. The best way to make friends is within company of another Japanese person, when other people notice that language barrier is exceeded. This is when people start making communications with foreigners more openly
Most Japanese people also downplay their abilities and this takes time to understand from foreigners. This downplaying can be seen in conversations by standard behaviour such as: When person starts to praise another by telling, you are very wise or you have very nice hair, it is also very common that Japanese people praises foreigners Japanese language ability or ability to eat with chopstics. In these situations it is good idea to be polite and humble and remember that person you are talking to is just downplaying his own abilities or being polite.
Japanese people avoid saying no, what leads often to situations where foreigner waits help or favour from Japanese person, because Japanese person has answered to foreigner in agreeable tune. Japanese person might have meant no but foreigner usually does not understand that. Refusal can sometimes be hard to understand, smile and silence sometimes means no even though response would have been in agreeable tune. .
Giving business cards is tradition which is often used in Japan. It is recommended that always give business card when new people are met. In some situations it is still recommended to be cautious when giving business card. When receiving business card do not just put it in pocket, but show respect and gratitude when you achieve one.
Friendship is always about communication of two- or more people. Person's attitude, communications skills, opinions are usually those characteristics what determine who will be friends with whom.
uum what do you think ?☝
**edited** should be now easier to read. Thanks for comments, insights and advices.
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