Why do Japanese staff say "Irasshaimase" when you enter a store or restaurant?For many visitors to Japan, hearing several staff members suddenly call out a greeting — sometimes all at once — can feel surprising at first. The phrase is heard everywhere in Japan, from ramen shops and izakaya to department stores and convenience stores, yet customers are generally not expected to respond at all. "Irasshaimase" is more than a simple greeting. It is part of a broader hospitality system in which customers are acknowledged immediately upon entering, helping create an atmosphere of attentiveness and welcome before any direct interaction ...
