What is Honne in Japanese culture?

 

In Japanese culture the interplay of a number of themes are important to understand in verbal communication styles and relationships.

Honne

This is seen to describe the individuals real self or natural self or what one feels in reality.

Tatemae

To follow and behaviour in an outward way toward a standard or rule, 

for example: being polite in society.

This can therefore be described as surface behaviour.

In summary, what a person might say and do at work versus at home maybe very different.

Overall, Japanese culture is tatemae oriented and foreigners must learn to tell the differences between the two concepts as a way to better communicate and build relationships

Source: Deciphering the Japanese Cultural Code,

International Marketing Review, Autumn 1986

#japanesecustomer #japan #culture #group #behaviour #rules #honne #tatemae #communication #relationships

What is Gaman and what does it mean in Japanese culture?

Photo: Lunchtime meal in summer, somen cold noodles

Gaman is an important concept to understand when understaninding and dealing with Japanese customers

Essentially it means that Japanese often tend to sacrifice their personal feelings and opinions ahead of the group or company.

In terms of customer service in Japan, store workers self-sacrifice to provide an outstanding level of service and this may include personal hardships such as long hours, a hard commute and paying attention to small details in order to please the customer.

Foreigners working with Japanese must deeply understand this concept as Japanese customers have very high service standards which are cultural specific.

Source: Deciphering the Japanese Cultural Code,

International Marketing Review, Autumn 1986

#japanesecustomer #japan #culture #group #behaviour #rules #gaman #standards 

"Japanese are "group-centric" their groups exclude everyone, including other Japanese from the in-group" (Nakane, 1972)

"Japanese are "group-centric" 

their groups exclude everyone, 

including other Japanese

from the in-group. 

This means establishing trust 

by consistently reciprocating

 favours (giri-ninjogiri-ninjo)" (Nakane, 1972)

Source: Deciphering the Japanese Cultural Code, 

International Marketing Review, Autumn 1986

#japanesecustomer #japan #culture #group #behaviour #rules