Quiz Answers - In reverse order
5. When you hear the expression "O-kyaku-sama wa kami-sama desu" you should assume it means
(d) the customer is God.
4. When you visit a hot springs resort you are usually given a light cotton kimono (called a yukata). In these resort towns you may wear it almost anywhere: dining, strolling on the street, and certainly to the bath. Just be sure that
(a) the left lapel crosses over the right. As with all kimono, the right crossing over the left symbolizes mourning.
3. Unlike the general English use of "by the way" to mean "while we're on that subject," Japan use this expression the way they would "tokoro de" which often
(c) indicates a shift to a more important topic of discussion.
2. When you want to give your Japanese friend or colleague a gift, you should avoid all the following except:
(a) giving it with the wrapping paper of the department store where you bought it - especially if it is a prestigious store. Four is a homonym for death, so giving a gift with four items in it is also avoided. White paper is used for funerals and writing a name in red ink traditionally indicates severing a relationship.
1. When you arrive at a Japanese company and the receptionist shows you to the conference room, you should
(d) wait to be directed to a seat.
Japanese meeting seating protocol is clearly defined with the guests seated on the side of the table facing the door and the hosts sitting with their backs to the door. The highest level team members sit in the middle seats, flanked by descending ranks on each side. As a guest in Japan, it is always best to let your host indicate where you should sit.
