Before eating meal, Japanes people say “itadakimasu” putting their palms together.

After the meal, they say ” gochisousama ” meaning ” that was a fabulous meal ” with putting palms together as well.

May need to remind Jpn people of appriciation for food

Like saying a blessing in Western countries, these phrases express an appreciation for meal.
 
But in the recent Japanese society, the number of those who start (or end) eating without saying the phrase is growing.
 
I think this is a disappointing trend, which could manifest degrading Japanese people’s mentality.
 

parting couple
( Too many ) Japanese phrases meaning good-bye casual to polite
parting couple
Good bye=sayonara? … not really
eshaku
Japanese people do not bow so often. Instead, we do eshaku.
Tai sea bream a symbol of auspiciousness
itadakimasu
What Japanese people say before ( after ) eating meal
Amakusa Porcelain Stone
a female seisei
This is how I ( do not ) use “sensei”
Climate in Japan