JAPAN: Officers & Gentlemen

“Never give camellias; the heads fall off,” cautions an official pamphlet issued to Tokyo’s 23,000 policemen last week. “And never give sick people potted plants; their connotation of being rooted may make recipient think you expect him to be sick a long time.”

In the multifoliate, delicately shaded structure of Japanese manners, even the off-duty politeness of policemen needs subtle cultivation. Other petals of advice in the pamphlet for crude cops:

¶ “Never buy a gift from a store near recipient’s home, but from one farther away so it really looks like a thoughtful gift.”

¶ “Never lick your chopsticks to get at last grains of rice sticking to them.”

¶ “Don’t pick up your napkin until others do, and try to make as little noise as possible when eating.”

¶ “Always stand at attention when telephoning; otherwise your slouch will show in your voice.”