Gift exchange is a core element of business etiquette and Japanese cultural customs. Varied occasions call for you to give gifts to your boss, colleagues, or friends in Japan. Previously we wrote about the Giri choco on Valentine’s Day and White Day. You should bring an omiyage home from your trip. In addition to the end-of-year gift of Oseibo, the middle-of-year gift of O-chugen is an expression of gratitude. Business associates, students, and teachers exchange gifts. So, when you receive them, you should also reciprocate.

With thousands of years of culture, history, and beliefs, Japan is a country where things may mean more than you think. For this reason, learning the dos and don’ts of Japanese gift-giving is significant.
We researched the mid-year O-chugen gift exchange and put together a few tips to help you to select perfect flowers of courtesy in the O-chugen season – and hand them over without any faux-pas.

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Gift Exchange and Flowers of CourtesyRead More »

Flowers are one of the major decor elements that every wedding has — but most couples have no idea how to choose them or how to budget out. It’s not just their beauty that makes wedding flowers particularly special or lucky. The ancient Greeks and Romans believed that the strong scent of herbs at weddings would scare away evil spirits. Moreover, based on their folklore, flowers aren’t just a way to ward off bad energy.

A lot of cultures believe certain flowers attract good luck as well as being auspicious. And you may be surprised to learn how many flowers are not only beautiful but can bring good fortune.
Today we will explore a list of flowers that will work well and a few popular ones that you might want to avoid at the wedding ceremony.

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Lucky Flowers for Weddings Make the DayRead More »

Life has a beginning and an end. A cut flower symbolizes the passing of life: just as it quickly withers and dies, so does human life pass quickly. A loved one’s death is a time of grief and sorrow, and we can change nothing. In any case, sending funeral flowers shows that you care, and it is comforting to the family. A flower arrangement is a beautiful way to express your condolences to the family. Funeral flowers etiquette has relaxed over the years and is quite simple.

There has been a tradition associating death and plants since ancient times. According to the Greek myth about the rose, it appeared from the blood of the murdered beloved of Aphrodite – Adonis. Slavs used Spruce to symbolize immortality: they wove wreaths from them for the dead. Each nation has its own beliefs regarding mourning floristry, which you should learn by choosing a wreath or bouquet. Now let’s explore several features of funeral flowers etiquette.

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Funeral Flowers Etiquette: The Best Support to Send for a DeathRead More »

In Japan, you can enjoy many traditions and interesting cultural features. Geographically isolated, Japan’s culture is rich, diverse, and authentic. It is a rather unusual tradition for us that women give boxes of dark chocolate to men without asking anything in return on Valentine’s Day in Japan, and men do appreciate them on White Day. The world’s most romantic holiday could not undo strict Japanese traditions, but it could inspire more!

As a culture, the Japanese observe a strict set of traditions and customs. Respect for yourself and others is the number one rule in Japan. Thus, White Day appeared in Japan as a direct result of Valentine’s Day; to even things out. Previously, we discussed the features of floral gifts on Valentine’s Day. Today, besides learning about Valentine’s Day in Japan, we’ll also discuss White Day, a holiday directly related to Valentine’s in Japan.

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White Day is a Reflection of Valentine’s Day: Dark Chocolate and White MarshmallowsRead More »