I would like to talk what you better prepare before you meet your partner’s Japanese parents.
If you have an opportunity to meet your partner’s Japanese parents,
what would you prepare for it ?
Do you think it is not necessary to do anything?
Let me give you some advices.
First of all, I know general Japanese culture around me
but I have no idea about other countries like South Korea or China.
Even though I’m Japanese, all of my knowledge is not always right.
I guess there are a lot of cases.
Today, Japan has been open for international stuff.
Therefore a lot of cultures are mixed in Japan.
Japanese culture of old school might not be the majority anymore.
But still many Japanese people especially over 60 years old likely
follow traditional Japanese thinking and manners.
The meaning of letting a partner meet Japanese parents
1.To show Japanese parents serious relationship
2.Marriage report
I think Japanese people would not let their parents meet their partners
if they are just dating and if they are not in a serious relationship.
If I think of no future with my partner, I would avoid to let my partner meet my Japanese parents.
Because Japanese parents take it seriously.
They will judge you or size you up if you could be a part of the family or not.
Of course, there are other cases.
Some people might introduce their partner to parents without any reason.
What you can keep in your mind before you meet your partner’s Japanese parents.
1.Small gift
Any gifts like chocolate or rice crackers would be nice.
Take something with you.
I have experienced that I prepared chocolate as a gift for my parents.
Because my ex from Scandinavia didn’t have any idea about gifts.
I gave him the gift I prepared.
You better think this way as below.
You got a valuable chance and time to meet partner’s Japanese parents.
Being humble is better.
2.What you should wear
Formal suits or formal jackets would be nice.
Perform how you could look the best.
3.Memorize Japanese sentences
Majority of old Japanese people speak only Japanese.
Just memorize Japanese sentences you would like to talk about or write down on a note.
It would be a good impression if you show Japanese parents to try speaking in Japanese.
Just parform.
4.Be careful of taboos in Japan
Don’t do “shaking unconsciously”.
Shaking unconsciously in Japan is rude and it means showing irritation.
5.Ask your partner what you should do.
Just ask and get useful information from your partner.
Meet your partner’s European parents
In Europe, you don’t have to worry about meeting your European parents.
They are very friendly and more like friends compared to Japanese parents.
To call European parents their first name is apparently usual.
In Japan, it it usual to call your partner’s Japanese parents “Okasan(Mother)”,
”Otohsan(Father)”or “Aba-san(old woman)”, ”Oji-san(old man)”
I prefer European style.
Because I think to be friendly is simply nice.
Relationship with Japanese parents could be exhausting if they don’t respect you.
Total
Most Japanese people think that traditional Japanese manners are important.
Perform to impress fresh and nice to partner’s Japanese parents!