Here is another question you aren't asked in Japan.
Japanese grocery stores don't use paper bags. They always use plastic ones, so they don't ask you the crucial question.
This has nothing to do with business protocols, though. :-)
I went to a customer's office in Osaka, the second largest city in Japan, last week to talk about some business proposals. I was invited to a conference room in their office building, and sit with my two customers. We began talking.
Then, a lady who apparently was an admin in their office came to the room with three cups on a tray and put the cups on the table in front of us. The beverage on the cups is green tea.
I was never asked what kind of beverage I wanted by the lady or my customers. They even didn't ask me if I was thirsty. The green tea was served anyway.
I am NOT accusing them here. In fact, I love green tea. This is one of the business protocols of pretty much any meetings in Japan. In most cases, green tea is served without asking the guest which beverage does he or she likes (In summer, cold Chinese oolong tea is served at many companies).
I have just one experience that coffee was served at my customer's office in Tokyo, but it was a very rare one. Unlike American business protocols, I have never been asked whether tea or coffee I like to drink. Not to mention, donuts are never served, because eating snacks in a meeting is considered as rude in many cases.
If coffee and donuts are served in a business meeting for you, that's a very good sign that the Japanese host understands the American business culture.
What's the point of this post? There are business cultural differences between US and Japan. Be prepared. Don't be surprised if a green tea is served for you suddenly. Knowing Japanese business protocols is a hidden key to have a good business relationship.
And, enjoy the green tea! It's a healthy beverage.
