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It is considered good manners to empty your dishes to the last grain of rice, so be careful when dishing up – it is better to take too little and then have seconds, than leave food behind. When you are finished eating, it is polite to move all your dishes back to the same position they were at the start of the meal. This includes replacing the lids on dishes and putting your chopsticks on the chopstick holder or back into their paper slip.
It is considered good manners to empty your dishes to the last grain of rice, so be careful when dishing up – it is better to take too little and then have seconds, than leave food behind. When you are finished eating, it is polite to move all your dishes back to the same position they were at the start of the meal. This includes replacing the lids on dishes and putting your chopsticks on the chopstick holder or back into their paper slip.
===Drinking===
When drinking, it is customary to serve one another, rather than pouring your own drink. Keep an eye on your friends' drinks and refill their glasses if they are getting empty. Likewise, if someone else offers to refill your glass, you should quickly empty your glass and hold it towards that person.
Do not start drinking until everybody's glasses have been charged and the glasses are raised for a toast, which is usually "kampai". Foreigners will get away with "Cheers!", but avoid the frightfully English "Chin-chin" when drinking a toast, as this is a rather vulgar phrase in Japanese.
===Eating===
Even the simple act of eating has it's own pitfalls and the author has witnessed non-Japanese staring at the array of bowls, dishes and side-dishes arrayed before them with a look akin to horror. However, a few simple tips will see you on your way to eating like a local. One thing to remember is that the various dishes are eaten separately, as opposed to say [[Chinese]] food, like [[Chop Suey]] where the rice, meat and vegetables are combined and eaten.
* Rice. When eating rice, hold the rice bowl in one hand and your chopsticks in the other. Lift the bowl towards your mouth while eating. Rice should be eaten as is, so do not pour soya sauce over white, cooked rice.
* With [[sushi]] (<font size=3>寿司</font>), pour some soya sauce into the small dish provided for the purpose. It is, however, considered bad manners to waste soya sauce, so try not to pour more than you will use. Remember, less is more.
* It is not necessary to add [[wasabi]] (<font size=3>山葵</font> Japanese horseradish) to the soya sauce, as the sushi pieces may already contain it, or it may be eaten plain. However, if you do choose to add wasabi, use it sparingly, otherwise you risk offending sushi chef. If you do not like wasabi, you can request that none is added into your sushi.
* You may use either your fingers or chopsticks to eat sushi. However, each piece should be eaten in one bite, as attempts to break it up could destroy the chef's work of art and will no doubt annoy a man who is skilled in the use of sharp knives.
* With ''nigiri-sushi'' (<font size=3>握りずし</font> hand-rolled sushi), the piece should be dipped into the soya sauce upside-down so that only the fish enters the sauce.
* With ''gunkan-sushi'' (<font size=3>軍艦巻</font> battleship roll sushi), rather pour a small amount of soya sauce over the sushi piece rather than dipping it into the sauce.
* When eating ''sashimi'' (<font size=3>刺身</font> raw sliced fish), first pour some soya sauce into the small dish provided, then put some wasabi on the sashimi piece, being careful not use too much. Thinly sliced ginger may also be added. Then dip the sashimi pieces into the soya sauce.
* Miso soup can be drunk from the bowl, as if it was a cup. Solid pieces can be eaten using your chopsticks.
If people around you are eating noodles, you might be surprised and horrified to hear them "slurping" the noddles into their mouths. Do not be embarrassed and feel free to join in. Slurping your noodles is considered a sign that you are enjoying your meal. On the other hand, burping after a meal is considered incredibly rude, and ''not'' a sign that you enjoyed your meal.
==Eating Out==
Upon entering a restaurant, customers are greeted with "irasshaimase" (<font size=3>いらっしゃいませ</font> "Welcome!") and a waiter or waitress (or maid, if it is that kind of restaurant) will usually lead you to your table immediately. If they do not, you can assume that it is okay to sit at any table. Many Japanese restaurants still have a smoking and non-smoking section, so make sure you make your preference known beforehand - "hikitsuensha" for non-smoking and "kitsuen" for smoking. Either way, you will most likely be required to remove your shoes before entering the restaurant, or the eating area.
Once you are seated, you will be served a complimentary glass of water or tea, which is later refilled. You will also receive an ''oshibori'' (font size=3>御絞り</font> a moistened hand towel) for cleaning your hands. If your place setting does not include chopsticks, you will usually find some in a box on the table. Most often, they are bamboo disposable chopsticks that need to be separated before you use them.
With regards to paying, you will be presented with the bill at the end, or occasionally at the beginning of your meal, although the latter will exclude any drinks you may order. Bills are usually paid at the cashier, rather than paying the waiter. Tipping is rare in Japan and staff do not expect it. In fact, you may find staff running after you, to return the money "you left behind". However, always remember to thank the staff with a "gochisōsama deshi<i></i>ta" when leaving.
==Also see==
==Also see==