こちら, そちら, あちら or どちら

Japanese has a polite ko-so-a-do series for directions, places, people and choices:

• こちら: this way, here, this person, on the speaker's side (こちらは田中さんです。 This is Mr Tanaka.)
• そちら: that way, there, on the listener's side; also 'you / your side' (明日そちらに伺います。 I'll visit you tomorrow.)
• あちら: over there, away from both people (受付はあちらです。 Reception is over there.)
• どちら: which (of two) or polite 'where' (お国はどちらですか。 Where are you from?)

They are politer than ここ, そこ, あそこ, どこ and are what staff in shops, hotels and stations use. In casual speech they become こっち, そっち, あっち, どっち. Useful set phrases: こちらこそ (likewise, it is I who should thank you) and どちら様ですか (who is it, please?).