Japanese restaurant etiquette

: Why Do Japanese Staff Say “Irasshaimase”?

One of the first things many visitors hear when entering a Japanese restaurant is a loud greeting from the staff:"Irasshaimase!"To foreign visitors, the greeting can feel surprisingly energetic, sudden, or even startling at first — especially in busy ramen shops or izakaya where multiple staff members may shout it at the same time.Many people naturally wonder: "Am I supposed to respond?" "Should I bow back?" or "Why is everyone shouting?" In reality, "Irasshaimase" is not meant to pressure customers into interaction. It is simply a traditional way of acknowledging a customer's arrival and signaling that they are welcome inside. "Irasshaimase" ...