💬 Greetings & Conversation

• A small bow goes a long way Bowing replaces handshakes in most situations. A slight nod is enough for casual encounters; deeper bows…
• "Sumimasen" is your magic word Sumimasen means "excuse me," "sorry," and "thank you"—all at once. Use it to get attention, apologize, or…
• Avoid pointing with one finger Pointing directly at people or things with an index finger feels brusque. An open hand is gentler.
• Business cards deserve respect If someone offers their meishi (business card), receive it with both hands and read it briefly before…
• Silence is comfortable Pauses in conversation aren't awkward—they're part of the rhythm. Filling every silence can come across as…
• "No" is often implied, not spoken Direct refusal can feel harsh. Phrases like "chotto…" (a little…) or "muzukashii desu" (it's difficult)…