The "How to not embarrass yourself too badly" guide

This post is dedicated to my dear friends, Jessica and Stephanie- who are coming to visit me in March. Neither of them know any Japanese (that I am aware of) or much about Japanese culture, so they have asked me: "what do I need to know about Japan before I come so that I will not embarrass myself too badly?"

So that's exactly what this post is...a "How to Not Embarrass Yourself Too Much" sort of guide for any people thinking of traveling here. 

Part 1:   What Japanese Should I know? 
 Very basic ( I don't want to get too detailed and scare anyone.. )
       Arigatou- Thanks! (You can add Gozaimasu on the end to turn it into 'Thank you very much')   
       Konnichiwa-  Hello (Good Afternoon)
       Ohayo  - Goodmorning
       Ja ne-   See ya laters
      Gomen nasai-  I'm Sorry
      Hai-   Yes
      Iie-   No
      Sumimasen- Excuse me (You may also hear, Shitsure Shimasu)
      Name Desu. Douzo Yoroshiku- My name is Blah...Nice to meet you!
      Onegaishimasu  - Please (You will also hear, Kudasai)
      Oishii - Delicious
      Daijobudesu-   It's okay / I'm okay
      Itadakimasu -  What you say before you eat. It has no direct translation...the closest thing is like "I am now humbly accepting this meal."  (If you are way pro, you say Gochisosamadeshita after a meal...but that is a long scary word.)
     Nihongo Wakarimasen -     I don't understand Japanese 
     Blah wa doko desuka? -   Where is blaahh. (For example...Toire wa dokodesuka?...where is the bathroom? or Eki wa dokodesuka?  where is the train station? )    
     Note* you will hear Irreshaimase! a LOT if you go shopping. It means "welcome" for places of business. You don't have to say anything back.

Here's a video I made specially for all y'all on the pronunciation of those words. I hope I was not speaking too fast-Lemme know if you have any questions !
PS. Sorry my computer fan is all loud and sounds like a vacuum. (Hopefully you can understand me)

Part 2: What should I know culturally?
       -Dressing Rooms and Trying on Clothes:  You will have to take off your shoes before you enter most Dressing Rooms. (A general rule is, if there is carpet there, they don't want you to dirty it with your street shoes). Also, one time I got handed this small cloth bag and was SO confused- like, "what the heck does she want me to do with this?" Well, apparently it's to put over your head, so that you will not smudge your makeup on the clothes. If you get handed the bag just smile and use it if you wish...I am usually pretty good about not rubbin' ma face all over the clothes though.
       -Visiting someone's house: Usually you are supposed to bring an "Omiyage" for the person who's house it is. It doesn't have to be big- it's the thought that counts. You aaaalways take off your shoes in the entrance area of a home before walking around the house. Sometimes you will be provided slippers to change into. Don't wear these slippers outside or into the toilet area. At most houses you step out of your normal-slippers and into toilet-room special slippers. But that's another rule. DON'T WEAR THE TOILET SLIPPERS OUT OF THE TOILET ROOM. Sooooo embarrassing and easily forgotten. This doesn't only apply to houses- at some restaurants you take your shoes off and put them in lockers near the entrance....if this is the case, there will be slippers in the bathrooms to wear...don't forget about them and walk out with them on.
      -Toilets: There are a lot of buttons on toilets- most of the time accompanied by characters you can't read. Flushers are usually behind the toilet seat or automatic like normal.... Check there before you start guessing with buttons. Occasionally you will get this big silver circle button on the wall that's a flusher...but that is usually accompanied with the English "flush".  This may seem so silly to say but one time, a girl I know accidentally pushed an "emergency" button near a toilet and had a guy come rushing into the bathroom asking if she was okay--- embarrassing haha.
      -Other bathroom stuff: On occasion (traveling outside Tokyo)  you will hit bathrooms which don't provide toilet paper. Wow right? It's nice to keep a small pack of tissue with you just in case this happens. Lots of bathrooms, such as train station bathrooms, won't provide soap and almost all bathrooms don't provide options for drying hands. So if you so wish, it is nice to carry a small towel and even hand sanitizer.
      -Trains: This is just general knowledge not even specific to Tokyo but I'm gonna reiterate it anyway: don't stand in the middle of opening train doors when you're getting on or off...move to the side. CMON people.
      -Chopsticks: Brush up on your chopstick skills before you come! There are a few things that you should NOT do with chopsticks: sticking them down directly into your white rice and leaving them there- that's a funeral tradition. Scraping them against each other like a maniac to get every little splinter off: considered rude (obviously if there's a big ol' shard hanging off it you should get it off haha).
      -Tipping: You don't tip here! Yaaaay. It's rude to do because it's insinuating that the person is not getting paid enough or something.
      -Ramen: Loudly slurping your noodles is considered a compliment to the chef. Sometimes in restaurants you will be offered a bib so you don't get your shirt dirty from the broth. Use it if you wish- I've seen Japanese people use it on occasion.
      -Hungry?: Convenient stores are very useful for quick snacks, but it is considered unruly to eat and walk at the same time....I do it anyway sometimes haha
      -Escalators:  Stand on the left if you wish to stand and ride. Go to the right side if you want to walk up. EVERYONE is super good at following this rule- it's nuts.
      -Cash versus Cards: Japan is a cash based society. Rarely do people pay for things with their credit cards- quite different from America. Make sure to have withdrawn cash ESPECIALLY for restaurants. You can get away with credit when clothes shopping or shopping in department stores (but most cards charge an international transaction fee anyway- just use cash guys!) :D
      -Try Stuff:  Be adventurous and try things you might not normally (I'm thinking mainly food). You're in a different culture- experience it!

That's all I can think of for now! Like I said before, ask me if you have any questions or lemme know if you have been to Japan and have a suggestion for my list!