When journeying to a foreign country it is important that you abide by the culture of that country. What might be considered all right in one country, such as addressing someone you do not know by their first name, would be considered a great insult in another. In Japan, it is particularly important to use the proper form of address when speaking to someone. The following are some forms of addressing an individual while you’re in Japan.

You can never go wrong by using the suffix -san. This is added to the end of a persons name as a sign of respect. The people of Japan are extremely polite, especially when meeting or speaking with someone they are not acquainted with. The word -san is also used as an addressing suffix added to an individual’s family name.

This is equivalent to adding the adding Mr., Ms or Mrs. in front of a person’s first or last name as in the English language. Most people in America would be fine with other people calling you by your first name without adding any honorifics, or using just your first name with an honorific. In Japan that is not the case. The suffix -san just has to be there. It is considered very impolite or vulgar to not use it, and is an insult to not do so. It is also considered impolite to add to your own name or when speaking of yourself to another.

The Japanese do use first names. However, this is only between close friends and other family members. Name suffixes such as -chan and -kun are used with close acquaintances or friends in place of the -san suffix. Should you use these less formal suffixes? As a foreigner you should not, unless you have developed a great deal of skill in the Japanese language. The exception would be if you are told to use the less formal form of address by the individual themselves.

The suffix -chan is widely used among women friends, family members and less so but sometimes among men. Grandmothers use -chan to call to their grandsons. The suffix -kun is most commonly used for children and particular boys, usually while they are still in school. You can almost never go wrong in Japan by being respectful to everyone. One honorific form of addressing a person is -sama, which is used by people of service or lower status to a person of higher status or who is being served. This is one form of address that shows respect.

Another form of respect is the honorific Sensei. This honorific is used towards someone who is considered accomplished or particularly deserving of respect, like a doctor, lawyer, artist, teacher, employer, or political figure. Sensei can be used as a suffix or it can stand alone as a title.

Nancy McDonough was for many years an English teacher in Japan. She is fluent in Japanese and travels to Japan yearly. She founded her retail kimono company in 1992. Nancy currently manages her kimono retail company Kyoto Kimono and her blog is here, Kyoto Kimono Mania.

The Japanese Tea Ceremony is primarily a social event that stresses aesthetics and may have a religious element as well. Since the mid 16th century, the steps to the ceremony have not changed. Clean the serving bowls, boil water, serve a sweet treat to guests, and mix powdered green tea, called matcha, with the water and serve to guests.

A Japanese Tea can be informal, a chakai, or formal, a chaji. While both ceremonies have the same purpose, to serve tea and food to guests, the difference lies in the higher quality and greater quantity of the food served and the ritualized movements that are associated with the chaji.

A formal tea, called a chaji, has very structured gathering rituals, a meal served in courses, an intermission in the garden, a formal thick tea ceremony followed by a less solemn thin tea ceremony. The chaji lasts three to five hours and is an intimate gathering of up to 5 guests. A good host will choose guests that will be compatible and enjoy each other’s company in this small group.

The informal tea lasts from 20 minutes to an hour. Guests gather at an appointed time to be served a sweet and some tea or perhaps a small meal with the sweet and tea. The chakai can be served to a single guest or to a number limited only by the host’s resources.

Learning to prepare and participate in a Japanese Tea Ceremony takes practice. Acquiring the basic skills needed for an informal gathering may take only a few weeks. The more complicated formal tea may take years of practice to master. Formal teas are arranged and choreographed to be aesthetically pleasing, from the presentation of the food and drink, the appearance of the serving utensils and even the smallest physical movements of the participants.

Nancy McDonough was for many years an English teacher in Japan. She is fluent in Japanese and travels to Japan yearly. She founded her retail kimono company in 1992. Nancy currently manages her kimono retail company Kyoto Kimono and her blog is here, Kyoto Kimono Mania.

Hedonism Jamaica – the name says it all. Found in the Greater Antilles, one of the most beautiful parts of the Caribbean, this resort has it all. From glorious beaches with bright white sands, to tropical trees that provide shade from the temperatures that regularly hit the 80s, there is plenty to admire in this resort. Not least of all, the naked bodies wandering around as they spend their holidays in pursuit of pleasure and relaxation in this liberal and laidback atmosphere. But where is it OK to be naked in Hedonism Jamaica?

Naked – On the Beach

Whilst there are beach areas designated for those who wish to keep their clothes on, it is absolutely ok to be naked on the nudist beach of Hedonism. Jamaica’s climate and warm Caribbean waters are such that you will not need the warmth of clothing at all during the day. Take a swim, work on your suntan, and as the end of the day approaches, take a stroll to the far end of the beach to watch the stunning colours as the sun sets over the sea. So long as you don’t stroll too far and wander into the slightly more prudish and generally more clothed side of the beach, you are free to wear as little as you like the whole day long.

Not So Naked – Out for Dinner

There are some fantastic places to eat within Hedonism. Jamaica is known for its culinary delights and you’ll find this resort to be no exception. However, all restaurants and eateries are located on the clothed side of the resort so you will have to make sure you pack some outfits if you want to eat out. But there are no rules as to the sort of outfits you choose, and skimpiness is never frowned upon so long as private parts are not on display.

Naked – At the Spa

Similarly to the beach, there are both naked and not so naked areas of the spa. However, there are plenty of areas where you can abandon your clothes in pursuit of complete and utter relaxation and reverence. Facilities where you can be naked include nude outdoor swimming pools and Jacuzzis, and even a nude misting pool. There are also many treatments available such as massages, reflexology, seaweed wraps and manicures and pedicures that will leave you feeling pampered and refreshed. You’re sure to find happiness in Hedonism, Jamaica’s most relaxing resort.

Not So Naked – Fancy Dress

In the evenings, you’ll most likely find more people with clothes than without. This is mostly due to the weird and wonderful fancy dress parties held in Hedonism. Jamaica’s dress code is different every night according to which party you want to attend. From togas to pyjamas to alter-egos to fetish fancy dress there is a theme that will catch your eye. After all, starting the evening fully dressed makes stripping off all the more fun later on.

So if you think you’ll be happy in Hedonism, Jamaica’s most relaxing and uninhibited resort is waiting for you to come, unwind and enjoy the unique lifestyle that awaits you.

Jane Smith is the Product Director of EXcapes Holidays, a specialist provider of lifestyle holidays to Hedonism Jamaica and many other luxury lifestyle resorts worldwide. Our range of holidays is unmatched by any other British Tour Operator.