From stranger to regular member: how the mamasan facilitates introductions and warmth in a neighborhood bar in Japan

Small hospitality establishments in Japan, such as bars, serve as community hubs where people gather to socialize, relieve stress, and enjoy food and drinks. Despite their importance, interactional behaviors within these spaces are underresearched. Thus, in this study, we analyzed 102 minutes of video-recorded interactions to explore how a new customer is integrated into the bar community using a sociopragmatic framework. Specifically, we analyzed how the initial interaction progresses in a less formal and more fluid way. Furthermore, we focus on Mamasan’s vital role in welcoming a newcomer and how other regular customers contribute to the interaction by employing various linguistic resources such as performing affiliative behaviors (e.g., safe questions) and positive listening responses (e.g., acknowledgment tokens). Our findings underscore the crucial role of the Mamasan in welcoming new members and ensuring a comfortable and inclusive atmosphere for all patrons.