Title: Japanese body language and gestures - Lingualift
Headings: Japanese body language and gestures
Japanese body language and gestures
The basics of not offending or frightening people
Counting backwards and beckoning someone to go away
Looking at your shoes
Saying what’s not said

Content: Looking at your shoes
No mention of Japanese body language is complete without the bow. Bowing in Japan shows respect toward the other person. For men, you put your hands on the sides of your legs. Women commonly place their palms flat on the front of their legs. Then, you lower your head so that the other person can give you a comical slap if they want to. The depth and length of time of the bow depends on the situation and social rank of each person. For a regular bow, take a second to look at the other person’s shoes. If you really want to show respect, examine your own shoes for a minute. Friends casually acknowledge each other or say thinks with a smile and quick head nod. Saying what’s not said
In Japan, silence is golden.