We have several astonishing cultures, customs and traditions in Japan, some of which may make foreign people speechless when they come across them for the first time.
Today’s topic is one of such: Business Manners. I will introduce some business manners that are standard but inevitable to develop an untroubled relationship with bosses in Japanese companies. The majority of Japanese workplaces are indeed hierarchical, unlike most Western countries.
3. Osyaku: Never let your boss fill their glass at restaurants or on drinking occasions. When large pitchers or bottles of beer with glasses are served, subordinates should pour beer into glasses and give one to their boss first, saying “Otukaresama deshita”. After that, they should always keep an eye on the glass and keep filling the glass till the boss says, “No thanks”. Then, offer another kind of drink.
There are heaps of other manners in business scenes, some of which may seem pointless or ridiculous to foreign people. But, that’s also part of Japan, and just enjoy the difference!
