Culture & Etiquette
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How Much to Tip in the US, and Why the Bill Assumes It
In the United States, tipping is customary based on social norms rather than a legal requirement and each state has established laws that regulate wages for tipped employees on an individual basis and continually update them. When tipping, the two documents that guide your decision-making process are the receipt provided at the end of service and the written authority (restaurant)…
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Korean Etiquette for Visitors: The Rules That Differ Most From Japan
Korean dining etiquette is different from Japanese in the following three ways: The rice bowl remains on the table rather than being lifted; the chopsticks do not perform all of the tasks; and the person being greeted bows first rather than waiting to be bowed to. In Korea, you do not lift your bowl but instead use a spoon to…
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What Are the Real Japanese Table Manners, and Which Rules Can You Relax?
There are two actions you can take with your pair of chopsticks that will definitely cause discomfort among the people who share the same meal as you in Japan. Everything else that falls under table manners in Japan is merely an example of ordinary politeness, and it costs nothing to break these rules. The documentation Japan provides for tourists as…
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Inside a Japanese Onsen: What Happens Step by Step and Where First-Timers Slip Up
In general, a person’s first visit to an onsen will follow a short sequence found nearly everywhere in Japan. The typical sequence consists of: 1) undressing completely prior to entering the spa; 2) bathing with your body and towel or hair out of the water; 3) drying off; and then 4) returning to the changing room after finishing. These steps…
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Japanese Etiquette for First-Time Visitors: Which Rules Carry Real Consequences and Which Don’t
In Japan, very few social conventions on how to behave will actually lead to an issue for yourself and those associated with the item you are violating, and each of these issues has to deal with something that belongs to everyone else. Items such as a clean floor, peace and quiet while riding a commuter train, and bath water that…
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