Consider Jaoanese Politeness

English 100 & Reading 104

May 22, 2011

Consider Japanese Politeness

Even in the twenty-first century, American still misunderstands Japanese culture when they communicate in person because of the cultural differences. Stereotype plays an important role when people relate to each other. By having Japanese and American perspectives, I realized the most familiar stereotype of Japanese people that American has is they are one of the most distinguished people of politeness. However, the behavior of caring by Japanese people is often transmitted inversely. The definition of politeness differs depending on whether and how the individual recognizes the audience and context.

The first misunderstanding occurs when Japanese people communicate without exchanging glances. Staring people’s eyes tend to be seen as a defiant action in Japan. As a fact, by looking my mother when I was scolded at my early age, she gave me an attention, “What is that looking for?” So, the children always have their heads down while they are being scolded in Japan. Conversely, when American children have their head down while being scolded, their mother gives attention “Why are you not looking at my eye?” In the United States, communicating without exchanging glances is considered disrespect for the other, or showing disinterest to the subject that has been talked. Moreover, American people often see that action as a showing of not having any confidence or keeping things back in the worst case. In Japanese culture, it is natural for people to feel comfortable to look at some random place while communicating with others. Therefore, Japanese people still gets misunderstood at this glance problem no matter how fluently they can speak English.

The second misunderstanding occurs when Japanese people use an indirect expression. Japanese people tend to confuse others when we use indirect diction, because American see’s it as indecision. If someone asks me a question that I do not...