Employees Who Greet Each Other While Bowing, Are One of The Japanese Work Customs Called “Ojigi”

The view of employees who greet each other while bowing before leave-taking with their partner is a common sight found in Tokyo at night. Ojigi is done to show respect and politeness towards the other person. As with the use of Japanese language, which must change the level of politeness depending on the person you are talking to, the way to do ojigi varies depending on the object. The following is a basic knowledge of Ojigi that must be known if you want to communicate well with Japanese society.

Ojigi in Past and Nowadays :

Culture originating from China and conveyed through the teachings of Buddhism is done to show one's status. For example, when giving greetings to people with higher positions, someone must bow to give a sign that they are not a threat. That ettique can still be seen in historical films or dramas, especially when the drama is about common people faces kings, queens, or other powerful people. In this modern era, the ojigi culture is still practiced in Japan. Ojigi is used to thank, ask for something, congratulate, and apologize. Japanese people from children to adults must know how to do ojigi correctly to get along well in society. Well, these are the types of ojigi that need to be known.

1.      Eshaku 

Doing ojigi to friends or relatives doesn't matter even if you just nod your head at a glance. However, if the object is a colleague in the office, use 'eshaku'. Eshaku is usually used among colleagues in the office to just give greetings like good morning or ‘otsukaresama desu’ (thank you for your hard work). The way to stay stood while lowering your head 15 with an angle of about 15 degrees.

2.      Senrei 

Senrei is ojigi which is done while sitting. Usually used during formal or semi-formal situations. The trick is to bend body and head 30 degrees, then hold this position for 2-3 seconds.

3.      Keirei

              

Keirei is the most official and common type of ojigi. Performed by standing and then bending 30 degrees. Generally used to greet others like customers, to show gratitude or when meeting new people.

4.      Saikeirei and Shazai 

Saikeirei, this type of ojigi is quite rare. This ojigi is done to managers, in-laws, superiors or important business partners, and so on as a form of respect and deep apologies. How to do this by bending your body 45 degrees with your head lowered, then hold this position for approximately 3 seconds.

Shazai, this is the most rare type of ojigi to find. The body bends 70 degrees and this position is keeping hold for approximately 4 seconds. How to bow like this is usually done when making a big mistake in the company until causing problems for clients.

Wah, it is very tiring to bow 70 degrees until 4 seconds…

Ojigi is a culture that is rooted in Japanese society, it is not even rare to find Japanese people who call while doing ojigi. Always respecting and being polite to others is indeed the essence of Japanese people who have been formed for a long time through a long history.

Well done.. You have read about Ojigi culture in Japan, so you can apply this to Japanese society as a symbol of politeness and respects each other while working and other situation. Thank you for reading… 😊