^Foyer? Slippers?
Yea slippers. It's on Wikipedia. Man ... Westerns are so damn behind on manners when put against Asians. At least from my perspective.
How so?
Introducing/excusing themselves upon entry. Taking shoes off, pointing them towards the door. Putting slippers on. Minding their business and not interfering with other people's business. Less gossip talk than regular - Westerns and middle east are so famous for gossiping. Using honorifics to distinguish the level of friendship/relationship between others. Formally sitting with guests. There's a lot of other things when handling business with people - like taking business cards from others with both hands (not one hand) and placing it in front of you during the whole conversation until business is done. Chopsticks sets placed across the plate, not sticking inside food. Even with spoons and forks and how they place them on the dinner table. What type of manners do we have here in America, for example? Do you see it being practiced? Go check out Wal-Mart or the malls ... We're more individualists than being familial (I think this is the right word?).
If you're going to take college/university classes or are doing so now, at least take the Asian Philosophy class. Mine is a level 300 class, it's not easy. The first two world history classes helped out a lot prior to taking this class. But you'll learn about them a lot and Confucianism is all of what I mentioned up there.
Introducing themselves upon entry to what? A school, the doctors office, the grocery store? Most Americans I see do that at the 2 latter I think context needs to be taken. Also Most people take off their shoes when going into someone's home, the need to put on slippers I have never understood nor do I personally see a need. If the homeowner requires it then so be it but I see no need because it is a social norm. Also honorifics are more noticeable in asian culture because there are so many, were as in America we only really use "Sir, Ma'am, Miss, Mrs. Ms., and Mr.". Also gossip...I literally laughed out loud. Everyone gossips everywhere do not think it does not happen, that would just be naive.
Also on dinning utensils I was taught there a proper way to set them, should the occasion arise. And when you are done eating you put your utensils on the plate, And if there is food left over the utensil is used to scrape it off into the trash. And on the topic of business it is a convention Asian culture uses, I understand using two hands is supposed to be more respectful. Also being individualistic or more family oriented has nothing to do with manners. Also Wal-mart and malls are shopping facilities so they have little to do with manners short of allowing the elderly and such go first.
