Japanese people often bow when greeting each other.
It’s a way of showing respect and simply an act of greeting. Actually, as I wrote in another blog post, there are different ways of bowing.
As I wrote in my previous article, we Japanese people, bow upong greeting. Well, not at all times, but bowing is a Japan[…]
Here, I’d like to discuss and share WHY people bow in Japan.
WHY Japanese people bow?
Have you ever thought of that? If you learn of the reason, next time you see Japanese people bowing you may understand better why they bow so much.
It is said that bowing is a way of expressing “I have no hostile intentions to you” by showing the top of your head to the other person. Because the top of your head is thought to be a very vital spot, showing it would mean that you are all ready to give in, in other words expressing respect and politeness.
There are actually different ways (angles) of bowing.
- ESHAKU (15 degrees)
- KEIREI (30 degrees)
- SAIKEIREI (45 degrees)
They have distinct differences, and it is especially important when you are working in a hotel or hospitality industry. You learn this during your first business training session when you are hired. Read more about it here.
As I wrote in my previous article, we Japanese people, bow upong greeting. Well, not at all times, but bowing is a Japan[…]
From Erika
Now that you know the reason, you can easily guess why so many Japanese men in business suits are always bowing so much to each other!!
And you yourself can bow nicely to your Japanese friend next time when you see him/her. Oh, not to mention your Japanese boss of course!!
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