Social Manner at shops and restaurants

Japanese regard themselves, sometimes quite boastfully, “land of courtesy”. However such bragging (?) is not necessarily applicable to those in Europe and North America(also in South America).

Firstly, we forget adding “please“ when placing order in shops and restaurants. I have witnessed a Japanese tourist in café (en terrasse)in Paris , just shouting “one coffee!”. “After you” is also an indispensable phrase and manner. When you encounter other person starting to tread on stairs of escalator at the same time, you should give him a priority with this phrase. If you are man and the other is “she”, it is imperative! And finally “Thank you“ right after you’ve been served. Occasionally I have seen some Japanese, mostly middle/senior aged man, being almost completely mute at a restaurant…It does not look nice.

Let me add a bit more remarks. At the restaurant don’t shout to call waiter/waitress. It is impolite. Beware of “chip. In Europe it has been moderated to few % (or just rounding up the amount) after introduction of EURO, but 10-15% worth amount is still a “mandate” in USA. Bear these differences in way of “courtesy” in mind!

“Gebratene Scholle”(grilled sole) in Hamburg, Germany….and nice beers.