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Thanks for the grub?
Jun. 2nd, 2007 09:56 amJust a quick note about the signals that surround eating here in Japan. When the group from the lab or others sit down together to eat a meal, they usually wait for everyone to be seated. Then together we say "itadakimasu," break the waribashi (wooden chopstick set that snaps in two), and start eating. That word "itadakimasu" literally means something like I have received, but it is used almost like "thanks for the food," perhaps thanking the gods or kami. Although whenever someone gives you something, you might use that phrase, so maybe we are saying thank you to the food service? Or to our companions for being with us while we eat?
In any case, the term is a set signal, which most people expect to say and hear. And the timing is important, too - no one should eat before we all join in the chorus. If by chance someone needs to eat quickly to get to a meeting or something, they will say "osaki ni" with apologies. "Osaki ni" means "I am going before you" and is always accompanied by an apology of some sort, often with a muttered explanation (I'm sorry, I have a lecture to prepare, osaki ni). I'm not going to try to capture the body language that goes with all this, but that component also gets in there.
At the other end of the meal, there is also a group signal. Basically, people wait until everyone is finished, then we chorus, "gochiso sama" and start getting up. "Gochiso sama" seems to mean it was good, with the odd little honorific for a person at the end. Maybe "very good, sir?" It's the same salutation that you give a waiter after eating, too.
The fun part of these, of course, is that they are set phrases. A Japanese group uses the set phrases, and does not deal well with variations from those set phrases. And if you ask someone what they mean, well, these are just the phrases we use at these times. Itadakimasu before the meal, and gochiso sama at the end.
The nice part for a foreigner is that once you learn them, you can simply repeat them each and every time. And people feel better because you are not so odd, you are taking part in the daily rituals. Although they may ask you for the American equivalents, which can be difficult to explain. After all, not every American prays or blesses the food, nor is there a stock end-of-meal phrase for Americans that I know of. But even discussing this can be interesting for everyone!
In any case, the term is a set signal, which most people expect to say and hear. And the timing is important, too - no one should eat before we all join in the chorus. If by chance someone needs to eat quickly to get to a meeting or something, they will say "osaki ni" with apologies. "Osaki ni" means "I am going before you" and is always accompanied by an apology of some sort, often with a muttered explanation (I'm sorry, I have a lecture to prepare, osaki ni). I'm not going to try to capture the body language that goes with all this, but that component also gets in there.
At the other end of the meal, there is also a group signal. Basically, people wait until everyone is finished, then we chorus, "gochiso sama" and start getting up. "Gochiso sama" seems to mean it was good, with the odd little honorific for a person at the end. Maybe "very good, sir?" It's the same salutation that you give a waiter after eating, too.
The fun part of these, of course, is that they are set phrases. A Japanese group uses the set phrases, and does not deal well with variations from those set phrases. And if you ask someone what they mean, well, these are just the phrases we use at these times. Itadakimasu before the meal, and gochiso sama at the end.
The nice part for a foreigner is that once you learn them, you can simply repeat them each and every time. And people feel better because you are not so odd, you are taking part in the daily rituals. Although they may ask you for the American equivalents, which can be difficult to explain. After all, not every American prays or blesses the food, nor is there a stock end-of-meal phrase for Americans that I know of. But even discussing this can be interesting for everyone!
