Comments on: Japanese Manners: knowing your place

By: Doug 陀愚

Doug 陀愚 — Sun, 22 May 2011 15:00:28 +0000

Hi Kendall, I totally agree on both counts. The lack of structure and respect in American schools is quite a problem as is excessive pressure in Japanese schools. It makes us worried about what we will do to get out daughter in school.

By: Kendall

Kendall — Sat, 21 May 2011 21:34:06 +0000

One aspect of Japanese culture I feel the US could use is with the schools. From what I’ve seen, Japanese students show much more respect for their teachers and the school itself. The students play a larger role at the school and help keep it clean. If kids in the US had more of a role (and stake) in the school it would increase their likeliness to do and act better in school. In addition, it would hopefully bring out better behavior and attitudes from the teachers.

Though, at the other end, I find the Japanese put too much pressure on excelling at academics, to the point of creating unhealthy levels of stress on kids. That part I could do without.

By: Doug M

Doug M — Mon, 08 Nov 2010 06:12:24 +0000

Hello and welcome to the JLR!

My experiences with Japan have been limited, since I’ve married into the culture, but largely live in the US, but yes I do find the cultural admirable for its politeness. However, sometimes as my wife points out, the politeness can be a substitute for being genuine and a hindrance at times. It really depends more on the individual than the culture as plenty of rotten Japanese people can still be polite. It’s nice, but if the heart is rotten, it means little, and I’ve seen some pretty rotten Japanese people in my brief times there. Hence my cautious statement about how the respect for hierarchy can either be something with noble intentions or just a childish pecking order.

People who have lived there longer can probably attest to this too.

Still, I admire Japanese for being more conscious of their surroundings, people and their neighborhood than my experiences in the US and in Europe. Though on the other hand, I’ve seen examples of really blatant disregard too, and my wife admires the more eco-conscious culture we experienced in the E.U. more at times.

It would be nice though if the Japanese politeness would rub off on the West more though, combine it with some of the positive traits the West has to offer, and I think a beautiful culture might flourish.

I am also reminded of my grandmother, who’s a sweet old Lutheran lady from Kansas. She definitely learned politeness growing up, still writes letters by hand to people, avoids saying bad things about people and is loved by her neighbors. She’s not Japanese in anyway, but a good example of what the West could be like if we only reinforced such positive traits more.

By: hfinity

hfinity — Sun, 07 Nov 2010 06:24:06 +0000

I find this politeness that Japanese have for their surroundings something to be of great virtue. I have been studying their language and culture for some time now and all I can say is that of all other cultures that I have studied, Japan is what I value the most.

The difference in Japanese behavior and western behavior is something that disturbs me, I would be more happier if people around me were more polite. I try to be from time to time but most of the times I either get a disturbing look back or just nothing at all. When I get something good back I feel so much lighter and happier.

Using politeness when interacting with 日本人 is an easy task really. I wish other countrys would learn more to be polite like that.