Bowing

In Japan, the act of bowing (ojigi) is performed to express greetings, respect, apology and gratitude to another person at a time of both meeting and parting. Bowing is the basic etiquette in Japanese business and is commonly emphasized during training or orientation for new employees. Basic steps for proper bowing are as follows:

1.stand up with back straight and a good posture,

2.look into the eyes of the person you will greet,

3.bend body from the waist,

4. return the waist to the straight position.

Men and women differ in their bowing manners. For instance, when the body is bent from the waist, men and boys place their hands on their sides while women place their hands in front, with finger tips of one hand laid on top of the other, and with eyes cast down. Normally, the longer and deeper the bow, the stronger is the emotion or respect being expressed. For less formal bows, nodding of the head may be enough. Superiors just nod their heads when they are greeted by a bow by their inferiors. In Japan, most people do not have the habit of hugging or cheek kissing each other in their social greetings.