Japanese Culture 101: Why Japanese and
Americans Seem Rude to Each Other
Darien Reinman
Japanese Culture 101: Why Japanese and
Americans Seem Rude to Each Other
Darien Reinman
Japanese Culture 101: Why Japanese and
Americans Seem Rude to Each Other
Darien Reinman
Japanese Culture 101: Why Japanese and
Americans Seem Rude to Each Other
Darien Reinman
• Differences in the Japanese and Americans think
• Differences in the way Japanese and Americans view life
• Differences in the Japanese and Americans think
• Differences in the way Japanese and Americans view life
• the way we do business• the way we make friends• the way we discipline our kids• the way we joke• the way we communicate with each
other
• the way we do business• the way we make friends• the way we discipline our kids• the way we joke• the way we communicate with each
other
What is a “polite fiction”?
…a certain fiction that is acted out for the sake of being polite—regardless
of the facts
What is a “polite fiction”?
…a certain fiction that is acted out for the sake of being polite—regardless
of the facts
Japanese and American SHARED polite fiction:
“You and I like each other.”
Japanese and American SHARED polite fiction:
“You and I like each other.”
MOST FUNDAMENTALAmerican POLITE FICTION:
“You and I are equals.”
VS.
Japanese POLITE FICTION:
“You are my superior.”
MOST FUNDAMENTALAmerican POLITE FICTION:
“You and I are equals.”
VS.
Japanese POLITE FICTION:
“You are my superior.”
FUNDAMENTAL American Polite Fiction:
“You and I are equals.”
FUNDAMENTAL American Polite Fiction:
“You and I are equals.”
• KEIGO – honorific language or parts of speech which show respect to the listener
Keigo is used to:• emphasize social distance• show disparity of rank• emphasize social intimacy• show similarity in rank
• KEIGO – honorific language or parts of speech which show respect to the listener
Keigo is used to:• emphasize social distance• show disparity of rank• emphasize social intimacy• show similarity in rank
• Best Wishes!• God’s Best in the New Year!
• Please continue to help me this year??
• Best Wishes!• God’s Best in the New Year!
• Please continue to help me this year??
出る杭は打たれる。 The nail that sticks out gets hammered down.
出る杭は打たれる。 The nail that sticks out gets hammered down.