Language & Landmarks: Protocol: Asia

Culture is fascinating! Did you know that in countries like Japan, China and Korea where one sits in a room can be a matter of protocol? The Japanese are one of the most vertical societies in the world. They are actually more comfortable when they know where they fit in the vertical order of a situation. When an Asian delegation walks into a meeting room, they enter in order of hierarchy. The most senior person sits furthest from the door and the least senior sits closest to the door. Dating from ancient times of the Samurai, the Japanese seat the highest person furthest from the door. The lowest ranking person is the closest to the door. This comes from the belief that if a warrior were to enter a room, the most vulnerable person’s back would be exposed, not the highest ranking. This order also applies in other closed areas such as an automobile, an elevator, a dining room or a restaurant. Knowing who the highest ranking visitor is helps Asians prepare to host people from other cultures. Since entertaining is an important part of doing business with Asians details about seating and other protocol can be very helpful to us in the USA.

 

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