BOWING

The act of lowering one’s head or the upper part of the torso as a sign of saltation, reverence, gratitude, or apology. The angles of inclination of one’s body vary depending on the situation and the status of the person one is bowing to. With friends and co-workers of equal rank, lowering one’s head only slightly while saying “Kon-nichiwa (Hello)” or “Otsukaresama (Good job)” would be enough. Be sure to bow back if you are bowed to. Ken, who works at the desk next to me, is talking to a client on the phone while bowing again and again to the person on the other end of the phone. Most Japanese do this. It’s kind of funny, but we can’t help it.