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| Kimono fashion show @ Nishijin Textile Center |
The Japanese never hag friends. Instead of shaking hands, we commonly bow. You often see 15-degree bow in town.
Bowing, which is a traditional manner in Asia, is an expression of getting friendly by giving the back of head. There are three situations for which we bow. The degree for bowing depends on the situations.
- 15-degree angle (会釈)
- 30-degree angle (敬礼)
- 45-degree angle (最敬礼)
#1 is done in greeting to friends and in passing each other.
#2 is done in greeting to a boss and to express thanks to customers.
#3 is done in greeting to a VIP and to express apologies.
The following is a kind of Japanese jokes. An additional bowing exists. Bowing at 90-degree angle is done in greeting to an emperor and our wives. When your secret was found by your wife, why don't you try 90-degree bow? The final style for apologies is called "Dogeza" and "Dogene". If you have an interest on it, please watch the Japanese comedy movie of "The Apology king (謝罪の王様
)".
