Being polite

Calum has just had his tenth birthday and thought he would like six of his football friends for a birthday tea and sleepover. His mad parents looked forward to having eight boys in the house! The translation of the Japanese word for 'sleepover' would be something like 'stay over' which is perhaps a more accurate description as very little sleep is involved. All children in Japan are taught basic phrases from an early stage which should be used whenever you visit someone's house and receive food. There is a word which is said as they come in to excuse themselves for being in your house; there is a word to be said as they begin eating the food; there is a word to be used after eating to thank the host for what they have eaten; and there is another word to be used when leaving the house to excuse themselves for having been in your house. We are always amazed at how children here quite happily squeeze themselves into a small space - everyone is used to it. And of course there were many expressions of thanks afterwards from the other mothers. Getting manners right is important here. There are set ways to do things and set ways to say things. Sometimes it might seem rather rule-based. But there is always a politeness and sense of respect shown by Japanese children which is something we really appreciate about living in this land.