What kinds of bows are there and what social situation are they appropriate?

Risposte

vellyr

9 ott 2015

Inglese (Stati Uniti)

http://youtu.be/pqZcEwHBAk8

This has got some comedy mixed in, but it's also factually accurate ("deep bow" and the last two are just for fun). It only covers bows for apology, but it's worth a watch.

Utente eliminato

10 ott 2015

It is appropriate in all the situations where you would shake hands in the west. To my knowledge, there are two kinds. One is very light one done among younger people. Just tilt your head so that your chin gets lowered a little (and consequently your upper back bent a little accordingly). In the professional situation, 45 degrees inclination of whole your upper body is a standard. Both arms stay touching the sides of your body. Having this limit, people a kind of decide in how much degree they perform bowing according to the importance of bow in each situation. The more socially established person you are bowing to, the greater the degree should be, not exceeding more than the 45 degrees limit. Sometimes, especially when people demand a forgiveness in a very serious social situation, especially in company culture, they go as far as more than 90 degrees. But that's an extreme case.

I hate that video. Western people (I don't specify which) used to mock the Japanese bow. They still think it's a pathetic gesture? Isn't it the culture of a country before being anything else, is it? I just hope that nowadays at least anime and video game fans don't mock us. Well, keep mocking. You will always be a "gaijin" in Japan.

bluekoi

11 ott 2015

Inglese (Stati Uniti)

Thanks for your answer, very helpful!
I'm sorry the video offended you, but I think the video had humor in it to make it entertaining, not for mocking. But what do I know?
Just curious, where is this malice coming from? Have people disrespected you because of your culture? I would just like to clear up not all "gaijin" are ignorant and disrespectful. Most aren't, but I don't doubt there are some that are, and I am very sorry about the ones you may have encountered.

Utente eliminato

11 ott 2015

What I'm telling is that there are possible mocking aspects as well as fun and entertaining in the video. I'm sorry that you don't see them. But why would you? I know not all foreingers are gaijins. That's the balanced opinion we all should have. But you don't know where and how prejudices come from and how and where people are offended. Go to Japan and prove that you aren't one of the gaijins, if you want. I won't say it will be easy.

bluekoi

11 ott 2015

Inglese (Stati Uniti)

What does gaijin mean? According to Internet resources it means "foreigner" and "non-Japanese people". Then what do you mean by "I know not all foreigners are gaijins"?

bluekoi

11 ott 2015

Inglese (Stati Uniti)

Is the meaning of it negative? I'm reading more about it and there's another term "gaikokujin" that means "outside country person". I'm still learning, and I'm learning so I can be respectful of the customs and culture when go to Japan. Sorry if I had offended you in any way.