After a few recent visits to different restaurants out around town, I have decided that Americans should be required to take a test before we let them off base. The test needs to make sure they know the Do's and Don'ts of eating out in Japan.
1) Don't Cook The Sushi
The Viking is a local favorite around here. (The picture with this post is from the Viking...our table while we cooked our dinner). There is a buffet type line where you pile your plate high with raw meat, then take it back to your table and cook it. There is also some soup (the corn soup at dinner is the best), finger foods for kids (chicken nuggets and french fries), as well as sushi. On our last visit to the Viking we watched with some amusement as a couple cooked their sushi on the table grill. The local nationals sitting around them kept shaking their heads and you could tell they were thinking 'Dumb Americans'!.
2) If You Can't Eat With Chopsticks, Ask For A Fork!
The Japanese love to see us trying to adapt to their culture. They love when we try and speak in their language (even a "Domo" gets you far), bow appropriately in greeting or when we act appropriately at their shrines and temples. They do appreciate when we eat with chopsticks BUT if you can not do it without making a huge mess....DON'T TRY! The place to learn is in your private home...where you are the one with the broom and the vacuum. Every restaurant or festival that I have gone to has had a fork or spoon available when asked. With my tremor, I am unable to use chopsticks. More gets on the floor than in my mouth. Just ask, they don't mind! Oh, and if using chopsticks, DO NOT leave them standing up in a bowl of rice. This is very disrespectful. It has something to do with the ceremony involved with the sorting of bones of a loved one following cremation. Its a big no-no.
3) If Your Child Is Being Disruptive...Remove Them
We have now been in Japan for 8 months. I have not once in 8 months seen a Japanese child throw a temper tantrum or misbehave in public. Then you have some of the American children. They scream, hit, throw things, and flop around on the floor when they don't get their way. The Japanese people stop and stare, then quickly turn their heads in embarrassment. When a local national is out with their children, the second a child or baby begins to cry they are removed from the room.
4) Do Not Yell At Or Smack Your Child In Public
There is nothing that bothers me more than to see an American mother screaming at her unruly child at a crowded market or seeing an American parent smack their child on the back of the head when they misbehave at a restaurant. The Japanese stare and shake their heads at such behavior. Their children are well behaved for the most part but when correction needs to be made, you will see a Japanese mother drop to her knees, down to her child's level, and whisper into his ear. If more than that is required to calm the child, they are quickly removed from the room.
5) Use You "Quiet Inside" Voice
Recently we ate at a local restaurant and were the only Americans there (at least when we arrived). It was a very nice dinning experience. You could barley here anything beyond a quite buzz as the people at tables around us carried on conversations. Then things started to get loud. We looked around and there were now three other tables of Americans. It was disturbing to see just how much the atmosphere changed with he introduction of a handful of Americans. So please, if the people at the table behind you (and the tables are VERY close together) can hear the words you are speaking...you are talking too loud.
6) Don't Tip!
When dinning in the US it customary to leave a tip, typically around 15% for the waitress. When dinning in Japan, nothing is considered a greater insult. Never ever ever tip in Japan. When you leave a tip the Japanese take it as you are saying their service or food is lacking and they need the tip to help make improvements. So rather than leaving a tip, a simple thank you will bring a great smile.
7) In Need Of A Refill? Press The "Door Bell"
If you go to a restaurant in the US, the waitress (a good waitress) moves around the room keeping an eye on when peoples drinks are running low or when they appear to be finished with their meal. Brandon would often base his tip on just how long he went with an empty glass sitting in front of him. Here in Japan, after you place your order and it is brought to your table, you will not see your waitress again unless you press your "door bell". On the table is what looks literally like a door bell button. It singles to the waitress that you are in need of something and he or she will come quickly to help.
8) When Dinning In Japan...Pay In Yen!
I can not count the number of signs I have seen around town telling us that they are unable to accept US dollars or that they do not exchange money. There are a few (like 2 that I know of) places that will allow you to pay in US dollars but they will ask if it is possible to please pay in Yen. You often get a cruddy exchange rate when you pay in US dollars rather than Yen. Yes, you might only be loosing 5 cents for each dollar...that's still 5 cents.
9) Go Potty Before You Leave The House
Some restaurants here in Japan do have normal (well, sort of) Western toilets. Others only have the "squatty potty". It can be rather uncomfortable to try and use the restroom when you are in a dressy outfit and there is no Western toilet. So...just to be safe, go potty before you leave.
10) If You NEED A Napkin (Not A Tissue), Bring Your Own
I have not found a single restaurant other than McDonald's that provides actual paper napkins. They usually have a tissue box on the table for you to use and they sometimes offer a wet wipe at the end of the meal to wash your hands with. The tissue paper is not very absorbent and is worthless when trying to clean up a spilled drink. Its smart to carry around a couple of paper napkins in your purse.
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