In today’s article, we will talk about Japanese body language. Do you know what body language is? Body language is a form of non-verbal communication. It mainly encompasses gestures, posture, facial expressions, eye movement, and the proximity between people. In this article, we will discuss a little about this body language and why it can be useful to know about it.
In this article, we will not talk about common gestures that Japanese people make, as we have already written an article about that. If you are here interested in knowing if a girl likes you or vice versa, we recommend reading the article What are Japanese dating like? Relationships in Japan and How to know if a Japanese girl likes you.
Why is it important to learn the body language of the Japanese?
Gestures and facial expressions say much more than words. Although body language is somewhat universal, it integrates a kind of “tradition” of specific movements for each culture. Knowing how Japanese people act in certain situations can help us make decisions, know how to act, and what to say, whether in relationships, friendships, work, etc.
Knowing body language will help us interpret emotional and anxiety signals and observe signs of anger and threat. Furthermore, we will understand when a person may show expressions of embarrassment, manifestations of pride, and interpersonal signs. Knowing body language involves reading people’s eyes, observing posture and facial expressions. It is worth noting that this is not an easy task; one does not learn body language overnight.
Another importance is that Japan makes extensive use of facial expressions and gestures in daily life. Even in commercials and TV shows, you may get confused if you do not understand the gestures presented. For this reason, mastering Japanese body language is as important as spoken language.
What is Japanese body language like?
Japanese body language is quite different from Western body language. To better understand this language, we need to know how Japanese people are and act. We must understand the keys to Japanese elegance, which are movement, posture, and attitude.
Japanese people do not usually make abrupt movements or gestures when walking. Japanese people always maintain good posture. They do not lean against walls, buildings, or light poles. Japanese people do not lean over tables or say they need to pee. They also enjoy their meals a lot, eating slowly and savoring as much as possible.
Japanese people tend to have good posture. Having good posture tells the other person that you are respectful and attentive. As part of Japanese culture, bowing is an art form and can have various meanings.
It is worth remembering that there are exceptions; there are many Japanese people who do not care about anything, and especially young people tend to break these paradigms of body language. The Japanese people are very discreet, and it is difficult to understand and decipher Japanese body language.
Signs of Japanese body language
Smile – Japanese people smile to communicate various emotions: anger, embarrassment, sadness, and disappointment. The interpretation depends on the context.
Silence – Silence in Japan is golden and is often used as a negotiation strategy. In a part of the conversation, it can mean agreement, disagreement, shock, challenge, stubbornness, shyness…
Crossed arms – A person with crossed arms and lowered eyes suggests deep thought. If the person is crossing their arms and making eye contact, it indicates disagreement or challenge.
Universal body language – No matter the culture or type of person, if you are talking to someone and want to know if the person is showing signs of interest in you, just observe their facial expressions, hair touches, open positions, and proximity. Many gestures and body language are often made by people without even noticing, so it is good to have universal knowledge about body language.
How to know if a person is interested?
Shyness – Observing shyness is a good way to know if the person is interested in you or not. If the person becomes very shy around you, it is very likely that they are interested in you.
Reactions to actions – If you are learning body language to win someone over, you should take action and make the first moves. For example: hold the person’s hand while crossing a busy street and see how they react (of course, you wouldn’t do this with a stranger). If they resist or pull away a bit afterward, they are not interested in you. This action is necessary; with this hint, they may start showing more signs of interest.
I want to talk – Japanese people are shy; they rarely initiate conversations with you. In these situations, if a person of the opposite sex smiles at you, it could be an opportunity to start a conversation. Some go further; if you are on the train and someone next to you picks up an English book and starts reading, they are saying: “Hi, how are you, and where are you from?”
When the person does not want to talk – An open hand behind the head or neck usually indicates that the person is embarrassed and wants to get out of that situation. Sometimes the person may express phrases like “do kana” (how will it be?). If you are drinking, and you say something and the person remains silent for more than 3 seconds and takes a sip slowly and with enjoyment, it may mean that they do not want to talk anymore. When someone waves their hand at you as if swatting a fly, it means they do not want to talk to you.
Gestures that you should not make in Japan
Some body gestures in Japan can make you appear suspicious. Making eye contact is considered rude, leads to discomfort, and can be interpreted as a sign of aggression. So, if a person looks away from you, it does not mean they are interested or not interested in you; it is just not common to make eye contact, especially with strangers.
If you are in a restaurant, for example, stay quiet; do not keep your head up looking at everyone; they may think you are a terrorist or that you are going to start dancing in place. Another thing I do not recommend doing is biting your nails, chewing pens, or chewing pencils; Japanese people do not usually do this, and it can be frowned upon.
Putting your hands in your pockets makes people think you are someone with bad intentions. Having your hands in your pockets and leaning against a wall is an image that Japanese people associate with yakuza (mafia), especially if your feet are positioned further forward than your torso. Another thing you should never do in Japan is point with your finger! If you want to point at something, use your whole hand.
Another thing you cannot do is show anger through facial expressions, gestures, or crossing your arms. This is quite rude; if you are nervous, leave the place and come back when you are calm. Japanese people also like space; being too close to each other or touching people can be dangerous!
Remember not to sneeze or blow your nose in public; that is why Japanese people wear masks when they are sick. And whenever you receive a business card, take it with both hands. I hope this article has helped you understand a little about Japanese body language.
Leave a Reply