Irasshaimase!

[Karen]

What is the smoothest and most natural way to respond to rousing cries of "Irasshaimase?"

Konnichiwa? Doumo? Make eye contact and nod?

I always find myself a little unsure of what to do, and I think I must look like a deer in headlights.

[Airth]

The smoothest and best way? Do absolutely nothing! As soon as you acknowledge the greeting you've blown it...

[Nate]

Airth san, why do nothing? What is the cultural reason, if any, for this? WOuldn't it be polite to at least acknowledge their greeting.

[JockZon]

Well at least japanese people nod and make eye contact in Jdramas as a response to that.

[Jason]

Store workers don't expect you to acknolwedge when they say "irasshaimase" nor when they say "arigatou gozaimashita" when you leave. At least not verbally. It would probably be awkward for both of you if you did. Though some subtle, non-verbal acknowledgement would probably be ok. I don't know if there's some deep cultural reason why it's that way other than they just don't do it.

[Airth]

OK, so my initial response was somewhat flippant, but I stand by what I say from 6 years of experience. There is nothing wrong with giving a nod and making eye contact apart from the possibility of surprising the person who greeted you.

As a general observation, whenever you start interacting too politely with people in the service industry you put them in an uncomfortable situation. You have to be conscious of not beating their level of politeness. I find that dealings with shop and restaurant staff in particular tend to be carried out in a perfunctory manner by many customers; something I've never personally liked about the culture.

Jockzon, when you've seen people nodding in JDramas were they regular customers of the shop or restaurant? I think once you are familiar with somewhere, you would probably want to acknowledge the staff in a more respectful way.

[JockZon]

Actually, it was on an airplane when the passangers went on and off.

[Airth]

Actually, it was on an airplane when the passangers went on and off.

Fair enough. I would say that's a slightly different situation; it's rather difficult to show no acknowledgment when you are walking right in front of someone, or when you have direct contact. I was thinking of a more open area where most likely the majority of people would show no recognition of the greeting.

[Karen]

Ah, that was very illuminating about not "beating their level of politeness."

Yes, I also find it incredibly difficult not to respond to "arigatou gozaimashita" when I leave a store -- it's like having a phone conversation where neither person wants to hang up first.

[JockZon]

Yeah it is hard because like in sweden the costumer also says thanks because he/she has also got something... At least you could answer with a nod there as well??