For Better or For Worse by Lynn Johnston for March 27, 2003
March 26, 2003
March 28, 2003
Transcript:
Weed: We have 2 interpreters, many of the people we'll meet don't speak English. You don't shake hands here - it's unsanitary - and you bow. Then, you exchange business cards. Read the card before you put it in your wallet. That's another polite thing to do. Michael, I'd like you to meet Mr. Masuda, our agent here in Tokyo. Man: My pleasure. Weed: Mr. Masuda, this is Michael Patterson, writer for "Portrait" magazine. Michael: Hai!
It’s best not to bow as most Westerners have no idea of the intricacies involved. Too shallow a bow shows disrespect and too low a bow shows unwanted servility. Judging it right is, like many things in Japan, an art that is best learned by being born and raised Japanese!