【Mysterious Workplace Etiquette Ranking That No One Actually Wants】Survey of 493 Working Men and Women

M-Fro Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Shibuya-ku, Tokyo; Representative: Yosinori Kitawaki) conducted a "Survey on Mysterious Workplace Etiquette" targeting 493 working men and women, and compiled the data into a ranking.

There are no shortage of workplace customs and manners that people feel "don't really make sense" or "why do we still do this?"

Habits that originally began with the intention of showing consideration for others or building relationships may change in relevance as times and work styles evolve.

This survey was conducted by Craudia, an employment video production outsourcing service operated by M-Fro Co., Ltd. (https://craudia-saiyo-movie.com/), which surveyed 493 working men and women about "mysterious workplace etiquette" and summarized the results in ranking form.

Commentary on the survey results has been provided by Mr. Akihito Hosokawa of Unitas Co., Ltd.

【Request for Quoting or Reproducing Data】

When using the survey results or images from this release, please include a link to the official website URL of "Craudia Employment Video Production Outsourcing Service" (https://craudia-saiyo-movie.com/).

【Survey Overview】

Target: Working individuals

Survey Period: June 18–20, 2026

Survey Organization: In-house survey

Survey Method: Internet-based voluntary responses

Valid Responses: 493 people (366 women / 127 men)

Respondent Age Groups: 20s 21.4% / 30s 38.9% / 40s 23.7% / 50s and above 16.0%

【Survey Summary】

・Top mysterious workplace etiquette that no one wants: "Email writing style"

・Stress caused by mysterious workplace etiquette: "Mental exhaustion"

・Main reason people can't stop mysterious workplace etiquette: "Worry about what others think"

Top Mysterious Workplace Etiquette That No One Wants: "Email Writing Style"

When asked about "mysterious workplace etiquette that no one actually wants," the top response from 493 working individuals was "email writing style (21.5%)". Second place was "being considerate when taking leave (15.4%)", followed by "chat communication (11.0%)".

Many respondents cited etiquette related to communication tools such as email and chat. Additionally, there was widespread discomfort regarding excessive formality in greetings and interactions—what people perceive as "overdoing" politeness, consuming too much time and effort.

It appears many feel burdened by trying to be considerate toward their workplace and colleagues.

<1st Place: Email Writing Style>

・Phrases like "Otsukaresama desu" (Thank you for your hard work) or "Always appreciate your support" in emails (Male, 20s)

・Adding the phrase "Please take care of yourself" at the end of emails (Female, 30s)

・Arranging email recipients in order of job title. A senior colleague once told me, 'Some people really care about this' (Male, 40s)

The primary purpose of standard business emails is "fast and accurate information delivery." However, some feel discomfort when formality is overly emphasized.

For example, fixed phrases at the beginning such as "Otsukaresama desu" or "Thank you for your continued support," as well as "closing greetings" and "recipient order," were cited as mysterious etiquette. Since these formalities are unrelated to the actual content, efficiency-focused individuals may perceive them as unnecessary rituals.

While courtesy and consideration are essential for smooth communication, some survey respondents said such formalities "aren't necessary for internal emails." This suggests that others believe these practices could be simplified depending on the situation.

<2nd Place: Being Overly Considerate When Taking Leave>

・Announcing in the morning meeting the day before taking paid leave: "I'll be off tomorrow," then going around to thank everyone the day after returning (Female, 20s)

・Buying sweets or gifts to distribute to colleagues after taking paid leave due to illness (Male, 30s)

・I dislike having to apologize after taking vacation. I understand wanting to say something if it's sudden, but when I see someone apologizing for taking pre-approved leave, I think, 'You're not doing anything wrong'" (Female, 30s)

Some workplaces have etiquette around taking leave, such as "going around to thank or apologize to supervisors and colleagues the day after returning from leave" or "bringing sweets as a gesture of apology or gratitude."

Of course, in small teams, one person's sudden absence may increase others' workload, so feeling apologetic is understandable. However, taking paid leave is a worker's right, and sudden illness—either personal or family-related—is inevitable. Among colleagues, it should be understood as "we all take turns."

Thus, many feel uncomfortable when pressured into excessive apologies or gratitude.

<3rd Place: Chat Communication>

・Long, formulaic messages starting with "Otsukaresama desu" on internal chat, or exchanging meaningless stickers (Female, 20s)

・In group LINE chats, everyone is expected to use reaction buttons (Female, 40s)

・Chat messages that always start with "Otsukaresama desu!" and the need to reply with a mention even when a simple sticker would suffice (Male, 50s+)

Mysterious chat etiquette includes "exchanging stickers," "starting with formal phrases," and "requiring mentions."

The appeal of chat lies in its convenience compared to email. However, when bound by strict rules and etiquette, the very convenience that makes chat useful is diminished.

While such practices may stem from consideration, they also have downsides: "lack of clear business necessity," "create additional work," and "reduce efficiency." It's ironic that a tool meant to be more convenient than email ends up feeling more burdensome—this contradiction likely fuels the sense of "mystery."

<4th Place: Excessive Greetings>

・Shaking hands with every staff member upon arrival and departure (Female, 20s)

・Upon arrival, everyone must go to the CEO and managers to greet them. If someone arrives during work hours, everyone must stand and greet them immediately. If the person is away from their desk, you must go to them as soon as they return (Female, 30s)

・Going around the floor to greet everyone upon arrival and departure (Female, 40s)

It goes without saying that greetings are fundamental to workplace communication.

However, practices like "going around to greet each colleague upon arrival and departure" or "standing up to greet a superior upon their arrival" are seen by many as mysterious etiquette. This likely stems from an overemphasis on the form of greetings beyond what's necessary.

Some respondents said, "It's exhausting to have to stand up repeatedly and respond to greetings when I'm busy." It's clear that excessive greetings can actually interrupt work.

<5th Place: Distributing Souvenirs>

・The culture of giving souvenirs (Female, 20s)

・When on a business trip, always buying souvenirs for everyone to eat during lunch (Female, 40s)

・Buying souvenirs every time I go on a business trip (Male, 50s+)

Many people bring souvenirs back to the office after trips or business travel.

If done as "a small thank-you for your support" or "sharing a pleasant memory," it can be a fun part of workplace interaction. But when it becomes an obligation, some find it burdensome.

When buying souvenirs for the entire office after every trip becomes the norm, it inevitably creates financial strain. It may also generate pressure—"I have to find time even when busy"—and dilemmas like "What can I get that everyone from seniors to juniors will like?"

When receiving souvenirs, people may feel obligated to reciprocate, leading to an endless cycle of gift-giving.

Stress Caused by Mysterious Workplace Etiquette: "Mental Exhaustion"

The most common response to "stress caused by mysterious workplace etiquette" was "mental exhaustion (35.3%)". Second was "takes up time (27.0%)", followed by "time-consuming (26.6%)".

・It takes time to craft polite messages every time, and the unspoken rule to match others' stickers is mentally draining. I want to focus on actual work, but I waste energy on unnecessary considerations (Female, 20s)

・I have to check both emails and chat, which doubles the effort (Male, 30s)

・It costs money, and I also think, 'What's wrong with taking a break?' After going to the hospital due to body pain, having to hand out sweets while saying 'Thank you for my day off' makes absolutely no sense (Female, 30s)

・It drains both time and mental energy on meaningless tasks. I have to focus on avoiding offense with formal email wording, which distracts me from real work and only accumulates fatigue (Male, 40s)

・Just formatting the preamble before getting to the point wastes extra time, especially when I'm in a hurry. Adjusting my phrasing to match others and avoiding any appearance of rudeness is subtly exhausting. Overthinking creates constant distractions (Female, 40s)

・I don't understand the point of memorizing the 'correct' way to exchange business cards. Even thinking 'Can't I just hand it over normally?' causes stress (Female, 50s+)

It's clear that mysterious workplace etiquette leads to mental fatigue and increased workload.

Actions like "crafting formal email wording," "replying with chat stickers," "buying souvenirs," or "standing up to greet" may seem minor individually. But when repeated frequently, they disrupt concentration and become burdensome.

It's likely that complying with etiquette one doesn't believe in leads easily to mental fatigue and a sense of futility.

Main Reason People Can't Stop Mysterious Workplace Etiquette: "Worry About What Others Think"

When asked why they "can't stop (or initiate stopping) mysterious workplace etiquette," the top reason was "worry about what others think (36.1%)", followed closely by "it's just the norm (32.9%)".

Other responses: 3rd place "senior staff don't stop (14.4%)", 4th "it's a company rule (4.5%)", 5th "some people care about it (3.2%)".

Responses reveal a desire to avoid risks associated with stopping these practices. People feel they can't stop because they fear friction with others—"worry about what others think," "senior staff don't stop," "some people care."

Many also said it's "just the norm" or "a company rule." Changing established norms requires significant effort, so it's natural many feel they can't initiate change themselves.

Interestingly, some respondents said they *have* stopped such practices, but reported being "looked at strangely" afterward. This confirms that concerns about others' perceptions are not unfounded.

<1st Place: Worry About What Others Think>

・I'm afraid people might think I'm uneducated (Female, 20s)

・If I'm the only one not doing it, I'll stand out and might lose my place in the workplace. I keep my doubts to myself and just follow along (Female, 30s)

・If I skip greetings, others might misunderstand me as "impolite" or "angry" (Male, 40s)

Many fear being judged if they're the only one to stop these practices—specifically, being seen as "uneducated" or "impolite."

The desire to "not lower others' opinions of me" or "avoid awkwardness at work" is a major reason these mysterious etiquettes persist. The feeling that "it's safer to do what everyone else does" plays a key role in maintaining these customs.

<2nd Place: It's Just the Norm>

・Most people do it, so it's become a habit (Male, 20s)

・There's just this unspoken understanding that 'this is how it's always been' (Female, 30s)

・It's a long-standing habit, and there's never been a good time to stop (Female, 40s)

When mysterious etiquette becomes the norm, there are few opportunities to question its necessity—because everyone assumes it's just something that should be done.

New hires—whether fresh graduates or mid-career—might think "this seems odd," but due to the 'when in Rome' mentality, they may quickly accept it as normal.

<3rd Place: Senior Staff Don't Stop>

・The pressure from the store manager and area manager is intense (Female, 20s)

・Because my supervisor doesn't stop doing it (Male, 30s)

・It was introduced by upper management, so it's hard to speak up (Male, 40s)

Some feel they can't stop because senior staff promote or insist on these etiquettes. Especially when supervisors, seniors, or executives practice them, it's not easy for subordinates or juniors to object.

They worry: "Will speaking up affect my evaluation?" or "Will I get scolded?"

<4th Place: It's a Company Rule>

・I was told by seniors right after joining, so I assume it's just a company rule (Female, 30s)

・Because it's a company decision (Male, 40s)

・Because not doing it would violate the rules (Female, 50s+)

When etiquette is officially established as a company rule, compliance is mandatory regardless of personal opinion. Not following it could lead to "lower evaluations" or "interpersonal conflicts."

Also, being taught rules upon joining makes it harder to question them. Just as changing norms requires effort, changing rules is difficult, making it hard for individuals to speak up.

<5th Place: Some People Care About It>

・Some people do appreciate it, so I suppose it can't be helped (Female, 50s+)

・Some colleagues look forward to receiving sweets, so I can't just say we should stop (Female, 50s+)

People's views on etiquette vary. So even for etiquette that seems unwanted, some genuinely value it.

Even if you personally find it unnecessary, as long as others see it as polite or enjoyable, unilaterally stopping becomes difficult. This is especially true if those who care are "long-serving employees with influence" or "colleagues you work closely with."

Thus, despite questioning its necessity, many think "it's safer to continue if some people care."

Summary

Many feel that workplace etiquette around "email and chat formats" and "excessive consideration or greetings" is unnecessary. These practices increase workload, waste valuable time, and cause mental fatigue from overthinking.

Etiquette should ideally be about making mutual interactions pleasant, yet some end up feeling exhausted by it.

Yet, despite feeling "honestly tired" or "unnecessary," many can't stop due to reasons like "worry about others' opinions" or "superiors promoting it." While it's important for staff-level employees to speak up, it's even more crucial for managers and senior staff to question whether such "mysterious etiquette" is truly necessary.

However, it's difficult to personally challenge long-held norms. Hence, some survey respondents said, "When generational change occurs and people are replaced, the workplace atmosphere might naturally shift."

Comment by Mr. Akihito Hosokawa

What stands out most in these results is that the top reason people can't stop mysterious workplace etiquette is "worry about what others think," followed by "it's just the norm." This suggests that these customs are maintained not by logic, but by peer pressure and workplace atmosphere.

The fear of "being judged if I'm the only one who stops" is likely what keeps unnecessary traditions alive.

To improve this situation, it's essential to create an environment where employees can safely voice their discomfort, and where such feedback is welcomed as constructive input for organizational improvement. These small steps can be the first toward reevaluating cultures overly focused on formality.

▽ Expert Profile

Akihito Hosokawa

CEO of a venture company providing training and job placement support for IT engineers. Formerly at Recruit, he managed 2,000 sales staff as Hot Pepper's sales director and interviewed 20,000 people as head of HR, gaining deep insight into traits of successful and unsuccessful job candidates. He now leverages this expertise by founding Unitas, which supports career transitions for aspiring engineers, and serves as management and HR consultant for around 10 major Sler companies. Drawing from daily interactions with job seekers and employers, he regularly shares insights on topics like "effective self-promotion" and "what hiring criteria really mean" via note.

https://unitas.cc/

【Request for Quoting or Reproducing Data】

When using the survey results or images from this release, please include a link to the official website URL of "Craudia Employment Video Production Outsourcing Service" (https://craudia-saiyo-movie.com/).

About Craudia

A comprehensive crowdsourcing service operated by M-Fro Co., Ltd.

In an era where individual work styles and lifestyles are diversifying, Craudia supports freelancers, side jobs, and multiple careers by offering services tailored to diverse life needs.

Official URL: https://www.craudia.com/

About M-Fro Co., Ltd.

M-Fro Co., Ltd. is a media company at its core, dedicated to delivering attractive information and valuable services to users.

Leveraging data, know-how, and development outcomes accumulated through its core media business, the company provides high-impact marketing consulting and customer acquisition strategies.

Official URL: https://www.mfro.net/

Company Overview

Company Name: M-Fro Co., Ltd.

Representative: President Yosinori Kitawaki

Address: 4F, A-PLACE Ebisu Higashi, 3-13-11 Higashi, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 150-0011

Founded: September 2004

Capital: 50,000,000 JPY

URL: http://www.mfro.net/