21st July 2K8, Monday – 10+pm.

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Good evening, everyone~♥!

Until Mira returns and start posting, this is Ms.Aya whom you favorably call ‘Sheep’ is going to be your companion once again~☆!

What? Don’t like sheep? <;__;> (Cries)

Baa! \<`A´>/ (Is not bothered)

As for today’s entry… <.__.>

Those of you who are fond about the Japanese culture, sheep is going to share with you in a nutshell about ‘Japanese Table Manners’. <—λ—>/~☆

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Japanese Table Manners

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Japanese people have a very unique and traditional way when it comes to eating. To date, they still cultivate their table manners actively.

So if one day you are going to eat in a Japanese environment, I suggest you learn their table manners to avoid offending their culture.

Don’t worry! It doesn’t take too long to understand their basic table manners. <^-^>/ (Laughs)

Sheep will somehow make you understand!

*A-hem*

Before you eat, always make sure that everyone is ready and all settled down at the table. Then ask if you may eat your food.

When you’re about to dig in, say “Itadakimasu!” and then you may go ahead and eat.

‘Itadakimasu’　「いただきます」 means ‘I gratefully receive’.

The Japanese people say this before eating because they want to express their gratitude for the meal that has been prepared.

So do remember to say ‘Itadakimasu~~~♫‘ — in a very cheerful tone. ↓

Even if you may not favor the dishes, try not to say in a very dead and dull tone… ↓

Otherwise it’ll look like you’re ungrateful and this may cause the Japanese chef to worry about his cooking. <u__u>lll

Now, you may want to pour out the sauce so that you can mix with your sushi and rice, right? As much as you like the sauce, please don’t pour excessively and never ever pour into your rice bowl. Wasting sauce is considered to be very bad manners in the Japanese dining etiquette.

So please pour the sauce sparingly. ↓

If you spam the sauce like this… ↓

The sushi chef won’t be very please… And let’s not forget about the Wasabi… ↓

This will wage war between you and the Japanese people. (Laughs)

Next.. When it comes to eating sushi… You may use your hands or your chopsticks. The reason why sushi is made in a bite-sized is so that you can eat it in one bite without ruining the perfect shape of the sushi.

After all, the sushi chef did his best to diligently make the sushi. Let’s not piss him off, ok?

Urgent! Eat sushi in one-bite with caution. Don’t get too excited and choke yourself! ↓

Other table manners you should be mindful of:

• No talking about toilet related or disgusting topics that spoils people’s appetite.
• Do not blow your nose when there’s food on the table.
• Do not burp aloud.

If you’re a Malaysian, never ever ask for a bowl of rice using the word, “Mangkuk”. The pronunciation of ‘mangkuk’ is similar to the Japanese word for ‘Manko’ which means ‘women’s genital’.

Also, do avoid saying ‘chin chin’. It means ‘men’s genital’.

If you want second helpings, say ‘Okawari’ 「お代り」, which means ‘second helping’. Don’t say ‘mangkuk’ or you’ll get road kill. <x__x>

Oh, try not to have too many rounds of food unless it’s a buffet. You may be taken as a freeloader. <=__=>lll

Moving on… When it comes to toasting the drinks, lift your cup up high as though saluting and say ‘Kampai~~♫!!!” along with the others.

Kampai 「乾杯」= Cheers/Toast!

Once you’ve finish eating, try to clean up every grain of rice and put back your bowl, chopsticks and cup to the initial placings. Do close the lids for the pots as well.

When you’re done, say “Gochisosama deshita!” 「ごちそさまでした」to express your thanks for the meal. ↓

… Not that difficult, isn’t it? (Laughs)

What I just shared with you here is just a bean of information — but worry not.. It’s more than enough to get you by. At least you won’t offend the Japanese people *especially the chef*. (Laughs)

If you wish to learn more in depth, click here to read more —> \<^v^>/

The article is not by sheep though… <^ε^>lll

[ . . . ]

I suppose this is all from the sheep. If you have any questions, fire away!

Sheep will try its best to provide to answers! \<^x^>/{Baa~]

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- End of Japanese Table Manners Lesson -

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… For your information, I drew those pictures. <^x^>/

<_ _>lll

… Stop laughing at my lousy drawing!!! \<≥A≤>/

I just wanted to make it more visualizing and interesting!

(Cries) <;__;>