日本の食べ方マナー
　Ｊａｐａｎｅｓｅ　Ｆｏｏｄ　Ｃｕｌｔｕｒｅ　

Japanese Table Manners

As we all know table manners are very important in Japanese culture.
This is because the table manners during having a meal represent your respect to your guests and the restaurant.
Hence, here are some Japanese table manners that you need to know to avoid you being look as being rude and inappropriate.
Besides, learning these basic table manners also helps you to blend in with the culture and locals.

Table and seating

This is depending on the restaurant interior, some of the Japanese restaurant have low tables and cushions on the tatami floor.
Hence, before stepping on the tatami customers are requested to remove their shoes and sit on the cushion.
Not only that, do not forget to avoid stepping other’s cushion, you can only step on your own cushion.
In Japan, most of the restaurant will provide wet towels once you seated.
Once you get the towel, use the towel to clean your hands not your face or neck
After using the towel, fold the towel and put it aside.

Before starting and after finishing a meal

In Japan, locals like to say the word “itadakimasu" before they start taking their meal.
The reason of doing this is to show the gratefulness for receiving the food.
The meaning of the word “itadakimasu” is “I will receive “.
Besides that, the words “osaki ni dozo” which means “please go ahead” or “osaki ni itadakimasu” which means “allow me to start before you” can be
used when your dish is served but others on the table have be served yet.
After finishing the course, Japanese will say the word “Gochisosama Deshita” which is means “I thank you for the meal”.
These gratitude words are essential whenever you are having meal in Japan or having meal with Japanese.

Eating

One of the etiquettes on how to eat Japanese food is when you are eating from a small bowl you should lift the bowl with your hand and place it closely to your mouth when you are eating.
Besides that, if you are having food such as sushi, gyoza or others food and you think that you need to add soy sauce to it remember that never pour the soy sauce directly on your food
You should pour an appropriate amount of soy sauce into a small plate and dip your food into it.
While eating ramen, do not surprise that you heard any slurping noises because in Japan slurping noises shows that you are enjoying the meal.
Not only that, when you having sharing dishes on your table it is compulsory to use the serving chopstick to move the food on the dishes.
If there is no serving chopstick you may use the opposite end of your chopsticks to move the food.

Next is the most important rules for having sushi, when you dip your sushi in the soy sauce do not directly dip the bottom of the sushi in the soy.
When dipping the sushi in the soy, remember to turn the sushi over and dip the meat in the soy.
On top of that, when you are eating sushi never eat it in more than one bite try to finish the sushi in one bite.
Not only that, it is a bad manner in Japan when you burp, having audible munching and blow your nose at the table.
Therefore, try to avoid doing these while having dinner with Japanese or in Japanese restaurant.
In addition, try to avoid pointing at others using chopsticks or your finger.

After finishing the meal, it is important to replace all the dishes to how they were placed in the first place which are replacing the lids on the dishes and putting back the chopsticks back to the original place. This action is to show your good manner and gratitude to the cook and ingredients consumed.

Drinking

In Japanese culture, you will need to wait every guest on your table to get their drink and raised for a drinking salute which known as “kampai” before you start drinking.
In addition, never pour your own drink, it is customary for you to top up the glasses of people seated around you.
After topping up the glasses of the people seated around you they will automatically top up your glass.
In their culture, filling up other’s cup is a sign of good manners.