A lot of Americans seem to think Japanese people bow with their hands together like they are praying. That is not the case. They bow with their hands at their sides.
Japanese people also bow all the time. When I say all the time, I mean anytime you express thanks; anytime you say goodbye, hello, or give any type of greeting; when someone lets you cut in front of them while driving; to apologize. You get the idea.
It will be difficult to return to the States and not bow basically anytime I interact with another human being.
Japanese people bow so frequently and are so polite that they even do it while they are on the phone. My coworker did it 5 minutes ago while talking to someone at the government office. My neighbor did it a few weeks ago when she called the gas station for me. I told them that they bowed even though the other person could not see it and they had no recollection of doing so.
Back in December I had a flight from Osaka to Tokyo at around 6am, when the sun was just beginning to rise. Everyone in my row was asleep by the time the airplane started to move. I looked out the window and watched as the traffic guard guided the airplane out of its parking spot. After we rode past him, the traffic guard was standing by himself in the middle of the wide, cement lot. He bowed deeply at the plane and waved goodbye, wishing us a safe flight.
The Rules of Bowing
*Note: I do not claim to be a professional at bowing.
1) If someone bows at you, bow back. Be sure to bow the same deepness as them.
2) The deeper you bow, the politer. Don't go beyond 45 degrees.
Japanese people also bow all the time. When I say all the time, I mean anytime you express thanks; anytime you say goodbye, hello, or give any type of greeting; when someone lets you cut in front of them while driving; to apologize. You get the idea.
It will be difficult to return to the States and not bow basically anytime I interact with another human being.
Japanese people bow so frequently and are so polite that they even do it while they are on the phone. My coworker did it 5 minutes ago while talking to someone at the government office. My neighbor did it a few weeks ago when she called the gas station for me. I told them that they bowed even though the other person could not see it and they had no recollection of doing so.
Back in December I had a flight from Osaka to Tokyo at around 6am, when the sun was just beginning to rise. Everyone in my row was asleep by the time the airplane started to move. I looked out the window and watched as the traffic guard guided the airplane out of its parking spot. After we rode past him, the traffic guard was standing by himself in the middle of the wide, cement lot. He bowed deeply at the plane and waved goodbye, wishing us a safe flight.
The Rules of Bowing
*Note: I do not claim to be a professional at bowing.
1) If someone bows at you, bow back. Be sure to bow the same deepness as them.
2) The deeper you bow, the politer. Don't go beyond 45 degrees.
3) If you are doing a respectful bow, for example when you are meeting someone for the first time, place your hands on your thighs as you bow 45 degrees.
Below we have Obama as a prime example of how Americans misunderstand how deeply Japanese people bow. The Japanese bow often, but they don't kowtow!
Note how Obama is trying to do the full 90 degrees. And also how mad awkward this picture is. HA!
Below we have Obama as a prime example of how Americans misunderstand how deeply Japanese people bow. The Japanese bow often, but they don't kowtow!
Note how Obama is trying to do the full 90 degrees. And also how mad awkward this picture is. HA!