Manners Day

What Is Manners Day?

October 30th is "Manners Day" in Japan. It was established by the Japan Service Manner Association, a nonprofit headquartered in Ginza, Tokyo, and is certified and registered by the Japan Anniversary Association. Its purpose is to encourage people to review manners -- in business and in everyday life -- and put them to good use.

A Date from the Association's Founding

The date comes from October 30th, 2008, when the Japan Service Manner Association was founded. The association promotes and improves service manners through customer-service training, certifications, exams, and seminars.

• Established by: the Japan Service Manner Association (NPO)
• Origin of the date: the association's founding date (October 30, 2008)
• Purpose: to help people review and apply the manners needed at work and in daily life
• Activities: discount campaigns on courses and training are held to mark the day

Manners Are About Consideration More Than Rules

Manners may sound like a set of stiff rules, but at their core is consideration for others. From greetings, language, and appearance to email writing, ceremonies, and table manners, the form changes with the situation, but the common thread is thinking of the other person.

Tips for Marking This Day

• Make your morning greeting a little brighter, with eye contact
• Reread emails before sending, checking names and polite language
• Reflect on whether you keep to meeting times
• Look up any points you are unsure of in ceremonial or table manners

Small Considerations Build Trust

Each act of good manners may be small, but together they support relationships and trust at work. October 30th is a day to take a quick look at how you carry yourself every day.