Say "itadakimasu" before eating
Before the first bite, Japanese people say "itadakimasu"—a brief expression of gratitude for the meal. It's not religious, just a graceful pause.
Do's
- Say it softly to yourself before starting
- A small bow of the head fits naturally with it
Don'ts
- Don't worry about pronunciation—the gesture matters most
Tips
After finishing, you can say "gochisousama deshita" to thank whoever prepared the meal.