| Do you want to go on an electronics shopping spree | | | | make sure to bow longer and deeper when |
| while eating all the sushi you've always dreamed of? | | | | apologizing or in front of someone superior. |
| If so, a trip to Japan is in order. Before you pack | | | | Another way of showing respect in Japan is by |
| your bags, though, make sure you take some time | | | | greeting other people, especially when they greet |
| to learn the basic Japanese customs first, so you can | | | | you. Common Japanese greetings include good |
| fit in and have a more enjoyable trip. | | | | morning (ohayo gozaimasu), good day (konnichiwa), |
| Respect is one of the most important values in | | | | good evening (konbanwa) or good night |
| Japanese culture, which is instilled in children from a | | | | (oyasuminasai), as well as thank you (arigato |
| very tender age. One way of showing this is by | | | | gozaimasu) and goodbye (sayounara or jyaa ne). If |
| bowing. There are different types of bows, | | | | you are talking to someone, make sure you address |
| depending on the person you are talking to and the | | | | him or her by the last name, along with the suffix |
| situation. If you just happen to talk to a Japanese, a | | | | -san or -sama. |
| short, fifteen-degree angle bow should do. However, | | | | |