Business Manners

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“Human relations” are something indispensable to succeed in business. In Japan, treating a person to “settai” is very common as a method of building relationships of trust and deepening mutual understanding with business partners. In addition to dinging and drinking, settai might include golf, mahjong, or other activities. What must not be forgotten is that settai is not “socialization”, but is simply a cost of doing business. Take sufficient care, for if one misunderstands the purpose or mentality involved with settai, it is possible to instead make the person feel uncomfortable.

[Basic rules of settai]
1. Obey basic manners for business relationships
2. The side which is entertaining pays (it is paid for from company settai funds)
3. Show the other party a good time, so they go home feeling good
[Prior preparation]
・ Determine participants (number)
・. Coordinate itinerary
・ Choose location/make reservations
・ Make a budget
・ Make contact concerning determinations
・ Prepare small gifts, transportation to and from location
・ Final confirmation
※ It is probably just about right to contact the other party by two weeks before the date, and make final confirmation 2 or 3 days beforehand.
※ When preparing a small gift for the person on the day of the date, choose something that can be easily carried and kept at room temperature. Also, items that are overly expensive should be avoided.
   
＜Hints for choosing location＞
1. Carefully ascertain the other party’s preferences, and aim for something a “little higher” than the person’s normal image.
2. Find out if the location is the right size space for the number of participants.
3. Choose a place with the right atmosphere for settai.
4. Consider the convenience of access, etc. to the location for the other party.
※ If you have time, going to scout the location is a good idea.
[Roles]
  The person entertaining must become a host, and think first of showing the other party a good time. The newest or lowest-ranking members of a party should sit in the seats closest to the entrance and exit, taking care of drink orders and miscellaneous jobs. The host must constantly keep track of whether the other party’s glasses are empty, etc. However, one should not force the other party to drink, as keeping to the person’s preferred pace is very important.
[Seating order]
  In Japan, “seating order” is established to show the unspoken ranking of importance within the participants in a particular gathering. In settai, this is especially important, and it is extremely rude to make mistakes in making arrangements. Fundamentally, the party being entertained is in the seat of honor, and the party doing the entertaining is in lower seats, but always carefully confirm that detailed seating order arrangements are correct.
■ Japanese-style alcove rooms
  The person in the highest position sits in the center near the alcove, and those of the next lower rank sit on either side in succession.
■ Japanese-style alcove rooms (opposite arrangement)
  The person in the highest position sits in the back seat closest to the alcove, with lower ranks fanning out from them.
■ Table seating
  The farther a seat from the door, the higher, with lower-ranking persons sitting near the door to handle miscellaneous tasks.
■ Round tables
  The person moving the proceedings along sits in the seat farthest into the room, and people sit to either side from higher to lower rank.
   
＜Cautions for settai seating＞
1. In a Japanese-style seat, sit first.
2. Be careful to ensure that the other party’s glass is never empty.
-When pouring beer: Turn the bottle label upward, and be careful to avoid touching the glass.
-When pouring Japanese sake: Pour until about eight-tenths full to avoid letting the bottle touch the cup.
3. When someone pours your drink, hold the glass or cup with both hands, and after pouring, touch it to your mouth immediately.
4. Do not talk in closed circles.
5. Turn off mobile phones, or set on silent mode.
6. Carefully time and perform closing remarks.
7. Quietly get up and pay the bill, and get a receipt.