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Japanese Culture/Questions Answered by Expert Philip Lafeber
| Subject | Date Asked |
| Japanese Culture | 12/20/2011 |
| Q: I could have easily searched the internet about this question. But I wanted to hear it from an ... A: Nice of you to introduce why you ask such a 'simple' question. It is not so simple anyway, because ... | |
| Handmade Japanese Sachet | 10/16/2011 |
| Q: I recently purchased a handmade sachet made of red silk and intricately stitched, triple matted and ... A: Apologies for reacting late. Things have been rather hectic and I didn't see the e-mail. Red is the ... | |
| Japanese honorifics | 9/20/2011 |
| Q: I'm a student and am currently working on a study of literate translation. Meaning; I try to find ... A: What a great subject to investigate. Can you please tell me for what kind of education you are doing ... | |
| Japanese culture | 9/2/2011 |
| Q: We are doing a sociology project about culture ad we chose Japanese culture. We have a few questions ... A: It's nice to hear that you are interested in the Japanese culture. I have been interested in this ... | |
| Gift Giving to Japanese employer's representative | 3/21/2011 |
| Q: my husband works for a Japanese company in the tourism industry in Australia. He has worked for ... A: In such a case, a personal gift, particularly relating to your country or your culture, would be ... | |
| ABC Radio Australia- Japanese Culture expert | 3/15/2011 |
| Q: I produce a radio program on ABC Radio in Australia. I was looking for somebody who could speak ... A: Here I am, such a terrible reader. I thought you meant 845 am your time (I know, it doesn't say that ... | |
| ABC Radio Australia- Japanese Culture expert | 3/15/2011 |
| Q: I produce a radio program on ABC Radio in Australia. I was looking for somebody who could speak ... A: I am indeed interested to talk about this because there are some fascinating cultural aspects that ... | |
| Japanese Culture and Language | 1/14/2011 |
| Q: I have lots of questions i love Japan. First, Is the Japanese Culture always traditional in every ... A: and for your questions. It is nice to be able to discuss this. About culture; it is important to ... | |
| Japanese & business cards | 1/7/2011 |
| Q: When meeting with Japanese business men who are coming to the US, and they are people I have met ... A: As to your first question, there is no need to do it again, since it was already done. It is not a ... | |
| Gift for japanese businessmen visiting US | 1/7/2011 |
| Q: In 2 weeks I have a meeting with 3 Japanese businessmen from a company that is a client of mine. ... A: As I am not Japanese, my answers might not be informed enough. That is why I will refrain from ... | |
| Professional Gift | 8/10/2010 |
| Q: The doctor my mother works for has a Japanese girlfriend, a very nice woman in her mid-40's. She ... A: Gifting is a ritual in itself for the Japanese. They will be very happy to receive a thoughtful ... | |
| Understanding of Time Differences | 7/27/2010 |
| Q: How do the Japanese people as a whole deal with time? To clarify do they have to be on time are they ... A: The Japanese are very driven. This is in their nature. They have developed a sense of urgency when ... | |
| Japanese-themed gift | 11/29/2009 |
| Q: As the Christmas season rears its festive head, I'm panicking over a gift for my boyfriend. I would ... A: Your boyfriend will be very happy with your gift as it is very thoughtful. I like your idea. ... | |
| gift giving | 10/7/2009 |
| Q: I am living in Okinawa and feel a little confused with the gift giving cycle! A neighbor helped ... A: It is a nice question you are asking. I didn't know much about Okinawa (well, I still don't) but I ... | |
| JAPANESE THANK YOU GIFT | 6/12/2009 |
| Q: I HAVE BEEN WORKINIG WITH A GENTLEMAN FROM JAPAN HE IS NOW TRANSFERRING BACK AND I WOULD LIKE TO ... A: If it were me, I would give something that is particular to my own culture or region. It is somewhat ... | |
| Nursing Considerations | 4/17/2009 |
| Q: I am in nursing school and was wondering if there is any special nursing considerations for Japanese ... A: Though I do not know so much about this, there is a little personal experience that I can share. ... | |
| Gifts for a baby before the birth | 1/11/2009 |
| Q: I have a Japanese friend who is pregnant. She lost their first through miscarriage but is beyond ... A: There is no problem in giving the gift before the birth. As for what to give; I would suggest ... | |
| Modesty | 10/20/2008 |
| Q: I have heard that the Japanese have a great deal of modesty about blowing the nose. Do they try go ... A: It's true that I can't remember seeing a Japanese person blowing the nose. Then again, I am not into ... | |
| School Culture | 9/3/2008 |
| Q: Now I've been watching some old japanese drama shows about bullying, also read, and I've read ... A: After all I did find out about the meaning of flowers on a desk; If the flowers are roses, someone ... | |
| entertaining a guest from Japan | 8/18/2008 |
| Q: I have been asked to hostess a Japanese professor in my home for four days. Are there customs I ... A: This is a difficult question. Aside from his national culture, he might have personal or maybe even ... | |
| Graduating Early | 4/27/2008 |
| Q: Can a Japanese student graduate early? and what differences are there in Japanese food then American ... A: My wife is Japanese and she understand the idea of early graduation but she doesn't know it. I think ... | |
| Japanese business culture: lawsuits/depositions. | 4/11/2008 |
| Q: I have read many articles on Japanese business culture. I am wondering if you have any insight into ... A: If you are about to enter the courtroom with Japanese, it's a good thing you have read up. You might ... | |
| Cultural Diversity | 10/23/2007 |
| Q: I Have a project on cultural diversity due. I thought it would be interesting to do it on japanese ... A: It is an interesting subject that I'd love to help with. Sadly, I don't know sites that could help ... | |
| interrupting phonecalls | 9/8/2007 |
| Q: Picture a "Japanese wife-American husband" relationship where the couple was doing something happily ... A: No need to picture this, I was there. In fact, I think this happens with any other cultural ... | |
| RE: Japanese Culture and Language | 8/24/2007 |
| Q: I have two questions, one is of the Japanese culture while the other is to ask a linguistic-The ... A: Helo Frank, About the numbers; we have only one set. The Japanese have number sets that are not used ... | |
| number 4 | 7/9/2007 |
| Q: i need some assistance with a Japanese cultural belief. Could you please provide me with an ... A: The number 4 is not an unlucky number. There is just the following coincidence: Every word has a ... | |
| Treatment of Westerners | 7/7/2007 |
| Q: The articles I have read concerning this state basically that, since Japan has a desire for ... A: Is your question what I think of the treatment of outsiders in Japan? In that case, I can tell you ... | |
| greeting | 3/29/2007 |
| Q: What is the correct way of greeting Japanese guests in a hotel or handling any queries from them. Is ... A: If I understand correctly, you are working in a hotel and you would like to know how to treat your ... | |
| culture | 1/15/2007 |
| Q: Is the culture still being used today, with girls becoming geishas' or is that something that was ... A: The picture that you might have in mind is something of the past; girls starting from a young age ... | |
| trees | 11/13/2006 |
| Q: i am researching about a japanese author who wrote about trees and was wondering if trees had a ... A: There is more to explain about the symbology of trees in Japanese culture. My wife tells me that ... | |
Philip Lafeber
Top Expert on this page
Expertise
Are you doing business with the Japanese? Do you wonder how to approach them, what to do and what not to do? I am happy to provide some advice.
Experience
I have worked for a Japanese company for 6 years and taught myself how to work with the Japanese and also some of the Japanese language. Also, my wife is Japanese, which is why I have also learnt about Japanese in private life.
Education/Credentials
None. All based on experience.
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