Do or Don't?

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Do
Don't
* Eat every grain of rice in your bowl. If you leave any it means that you want more.

* Slurp your noodles! It's okay, but you do not have to.

* Bring lots of gifts. You can't imagine how many they will give you. The giving of gifts is a Japanese tradition.

* Be polite. It is very important in the Japanese culture.

* Smile and nod, even when you don't understand what the person said.

* Learn how to use chopsticks. Hold one like a pencil, (this one moves to pick up food), then slip the other underneath it, resting on the ring-finger (this one is stationary). 

* Try all foods,  you may end up loving them. If you don't like it you don't have to finish it.

* Dress modestly, you won't see any boys walking around with their pants falling down, nor will you see girls in short shorts or tube tops. ( Most schools have strict dress codes or uniforms)

* Use the small, thin towel to dry off after you take a shower. Use the big towel to dry your hair.

* Blow your nose in private, it is extremely rude it blow it in public, or at dinner tables.

* Always have an umbrella with you, Japan will be in it's monsoon season while you are there. 
 

 

* Don't leave chopsticks sticking up in rice. That is how the Japanese leave offerings for the dead. This is the worst thing you can do.

* Don't wear your shoes in the house. Some families will provide slippers, but bring your own just in case.

* Don't wear house slippers in the bath room. Bathrooms have their own slippers.

* Don't press any buttons in the bathroom, except the one that is the flusher. (If you don't know which one is the flusher, DON'T press a red button!!!)

* Don't rely on a fork!! There will not always be one for you to use. 

* Don't shake peoples hand, unless they stick out their hand to shake yours. Bow instead, that is the Japanese equivalent of shaking hands.

* Don't go into a Japanese kitchen, unless invited. I don't know why, but that was someones advice to me.

* Don't give the Japanese your gifts at the same time they give you their gifts. It takes away from the value of theirs.

* Don't reach into a serving dish with your chopsticks. If there is no serving utensil, flip your chopsticks over and serve yourself with the end of your chopsticks (the end you don't eat off).

* Don't ask for the "bathroom," or "restroom" ask for the "toilet." The bath room is the room you take showers in.

* Don't eat while walking around, eat your food where you buy it.

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