Japanese Cultural Encounters

This book is pretty informative on basic Japanese customs and habits. It did help me a few times when dealing with certain situations in dealing with my wifes family(japanese wife). It is basic stuff that you need to know if you are going to Japan for the first time and need an impromtu starter into the way of the Japanese social structure.

Unlike many of the so-called "cultural studies" published about Japan, this book is actually practical. The authors have created 54 different scenarios with which foreigners might have some difficultly due to the different cultural nuances. With each situation, they have thought up four answers that might possibly explain the typical Japanese reaction in each scenario. The reader, in a format quite different from the normal scholarly review, is expected to figure out what the answers are, turning to different pages for confirmation. This book is filled with really good advice for anyone planning a stay in Japan, or for anyone curious about the small but important differences between Japanese and American culture. For instance, in Japan, you cannot give four flowers to someone because the number four symbolizes death and is only used in conjunction with funerals. Also, you should not blow your nose in public, nor should you use a handkerchief for task-both are considered rude and slightly disgusting. And did you know there are specific sandals that the Japanese use in the bathroom, and are not appropriate for use anywhere else in their apartments? All of these facts and more are found in this book, which makes it a wonderful resource and a very entertaining read.

If you are going to Japan, particularly for the first time, read this book before you go. Japan's culture is very different from so-called "Western" culture, and in addition, Japanese culture is less prepared to handle non-conformists. As a non-Japanese, you are afforded a bit more leeway, but by reading this book, you will have a better idea of what to expect, and can act accordingly. The question and multiple-choice answer format is an excellent tool to help readers remember, as they are active participants in the reading process, rather than just passive observers.

...you need to read this before you leave the States. This inexpensive paperback is a fast way to appreciate just how different the Japanese mindset is from ours, and opens your eyes with a series of typical scenarios in which Westerners and Japanese manage to confuse each other. Even well-intentioned compliments can lead to misunderstanding, and things like when to take your coat off can give false ideas when people's backgrounds are that different. Entertaining and memorable way to steer through a minefield.