When you move in a new place to live in, generally, you need to greet neighbors to notify that you moved in the next door of theirs, but this is not compulsory rule you must keep.
This custom tends to fade out among young generation under 30 years old. However this is a very traditional Japanese custom to build good relationship with neighbors and lower neighbors defenses to those who came from ouside of the community.
Turnover rate of move-in and move-out of residents in Japan is as frequent as if it were revolving doors these days so that greeting neighbors when newly moving in is considered to be meaningless because some residents move out after few months later.
But if you become a resident of a shared house, even if staying for only few months, you will loose nothing but win good friends by learning how you greet neighbors in Japanese style because you will be a member of family in that community.
Let’s learn how to greet neighbors when you newly move in.
Contents
What to say for greeting neighbors
Prior to greeting your neighbors, you should know 4 basic Japanese style bows. Then, you can give good impressions to them. Check the article down below
4 types of Japanese basic bows you should know if you live in Japan
You don’t have to say something exaggerated to neighbors for move-in greeting in very polite way. Generally things you talk about is 4 things.
- Where you move in
- Easy apology for noisy of your moving work
- Your family structure and your occupation
- Showing your intention to go along well with the neighbors.
The following is one example for move-in greeting.
Hello, My name is Yu. I moved in the next door.
I apologize for my noisy moving work.
This is my wife, Sachiko and this is my son, “Kenichi”. I work for a Tech company as a engineer. I may bother you with noise because I keep irregular hours for my work but I hope we’ll get along well with each other.
I hope you’ll accept this.
Japanese version
Konnichiwa, Honjitsu, Tonari ni Koshitekimashita (Your name) to Moshimasu,
Osawagaseshite Moushiwakearimasen.
Kochira ga tsuma no Sachiko, soshite Musukono Kenichi desu. Watashi wa IT kigyou de engineer wo Shiteorimashite, seikatsu ga fukisokuna tame, souon nado gomeiwaku wo okakesuruto omoimasuga, Yoroshiku Onegai Itashimasu
Honno Kimochi desuga, yoroshikattara Ouketorikudasai.
vocabulary lists
| Japanese Expression | English meaning |
|---|---|
| kochira ga_________desu | This is |
| soshite | and |
| Watashi | I |
| IT kigyou | Teck company (IT company) |
| engineer wo Shiteorimashite | I work as a engeneer |
| seikatsu | life |
| fukisokuna | irregular |
| Tame | because |
| seikatsu ga fukisokuna tame | because I keep irregular hours |
| Souon | noisy |
| Souon nado Gomeiwaku wo Okakesuruto omoimasuga | I may bother you with noise |
| Honno Kimochi desuga, yoroshikattara Ouketorikudasai. | I hope you’ll accept this. |
Which neighbors you should greet?
After you move in, you need to greet neighbors but you don’t need to greet all the neighbors living in the community. There is standard scope of area where you should notify that you move in.
Where you should greet is basically
- A neighbor living the next door in the right
- A neighbor living the next door in the left
- A neighbor living the next door in the front
- A neighbor living the next door in the back
- A neighbor living just above your room on the upper floor
- A neighbor living just below your room on the lower floor
If you live in an apartment
If you live in an single apartment, if you live in one of the middle floors, you should greet
- Neighbors living the next door in the right
- Neighbors living the next door in the left
- Neighbors living just above your room on the upper floor
- Neighbors living just below your room on the lower floor
However, if you live in the ground floor or the top floor, there is no neighbor on the above or on the below. A number of neighbors you greet will be less.
If you live in a house
If you live in a house, you should greet
- A neighbor living the next door in the right
- A neighbor living the next door in the left
- A neighbor living the next door in the front
- A neighbor living the next door in the back
- A neighbor living the next door in the upper right corner
- A neighbor living the next door in the upper left corner
- A neighbor living the next door in the behind right corner
- A neighbor living the next door in the behind left corner
If you plan to stay in a shared house, you can greet every residents when you meet them at a common place. At least, you should greet the neighbors living the next door in the right and left.
Should you give a small preset to neighbors for a token of first meeting?
As a traditional custom, those who move in a new place go to greet their neighbors with a small present for a token of first meeting and expressing their feeling to go along well with each other.
Whether or not you give a small present is up to you. If you want to, you should give some presents for your neighbors, If you don’t want to, you shouldn’t do
This custom is done traditionally by a person who newly move in and who stay in the community for relatively long term like 5 years to 10 years. This tradition is for the new people who need to build good relationship because of settling the place on a long-term basis.
As I talked above, turnover rate of apartments and shared houses are more frequent than ever. Some people don’t greet neighbors although they move in. This custom tend to become a dead letter now.
I don’t think giving something to neighbors necessarily makes mutual relationship better.
What kind of presents you should buy if you want to give it to neighbors
Diarly consumables or some sweets will be appreciated. Diarly consumables are like a towel or soup, sweets are like candy and cookies.
The timing you should greet neighbors
Generally, you visit neighbors within the day after you finish moving work.
However, if your moving work takes you after 6 p.m, you should refrain from visiting neighbors on the day and visit the next day. They may make themselves at home after 6 p.m. by eating dinner or taking a bath. You shouldn’t interrupt their private time
If you visit the next day, after 10 a.m. is the best timing for you to visit. It is time for them to be released from busy morning time.
If you are a woman
You should refrain from visiting neighbors for greeting.
Greeting neighbors ends up notifying that you are a single woman who starts living in an apartment by yourself. You may enhance your security risks. There is possibility that you may become the victim of a persistent stoker. Unless you have a special case that you stay in your company’s accommodation with perfect security, I don’t recommend that you go to greet neighbors.
Great blog. Very well said. Thank You so much.
Alvika
In Fukuoka