correct custom

[sorghaghtanibeki]

have japanese visitors coming tomorrow, is it polite for a man to shake Japanese wife's hand? this serious question. some say yes some no. advice?

[golach]

have japanese visitors coming tomorrow, is it polite for a man to shake Japanese wife's hand? this serious question. some say yes some no. advice?

I may be wrong, but bowing is the normal greeting to the Japanese, but maybe I am of the older generation, and am out of touch

[seren]

i always thought bowing was correct for both sexes.

[seren]

http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2000.html

[helenwyler]

You'll probably find the Japanese are well up on British customs and won't expect you to greet them Nipon-style, sorghaghtanbeki. Get your angle of bowing wrong and you could be sending a different message than you you intended.
Probably best not to kiss the wife.

[MadPict]

Japanese that I have met use western style greetings - I think the traditional greetings (bowing) are more likely used in Japan.

[JAWS]

I would suggest that "back-slapping" is definitely out. Hope all goes well.
Should there be any mishaps I would suggest using the excuse which works with any Nationality, "Sorry, British, can't help it!"

[EDDIE]

have japanese visitors coming tomorrow, is it polite for a man to shake Japanese wife's hand? this serious question. some say yes some no. advice?

Treat them the same way u would anyone else at the end of day there in your culture.

[Rheghead]

watashi wa Rheghead desu (nearly i guess, memory alludes me)

[floyed]

I think its bowing i don't think they shake hands.

[DarkAngel]

sorghaghtanibeki how did you get on..They are arriving today..?Hope it went well!!

[sorghaghtanibeki]

thank you all for your advise. Japanese lady driving car she get out and shook our hand and introduced husband. very very western!
thank you

[karia]

PHeww!

Just shows, you can't judge a book by its cover!

Karia

[Cattach]

I would suggest that "back-slapping" is definitely out. Hope all goes well.
Should there be any mishaps I would suggest using the excuse which works with any Nationality, "Sorry, British, can't help it!"

Maybe you should say 'English, can't help it' since the world think we are all English and if they don't think that it would get the Scots of the hook!