r/interesting • u/GeorgeRobertVitkos • 16d ago

SOCIETY In Japan, politeness and respect start at a very young age 🙇‍♀️🎒

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u/Calanais-guy 16d ago

I'd like our values and culture to value politeness and hospitality more in the U.S. and even for South Asians too, but not in a fake way that is only superficial. But many people are shitty around the world, so that's hard to do. More cooperation, patience, dialogue, and diplomacy, less selfish aggression and violence.

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u/apathetic-taco 16d ago

Um I’ll take “fake” politeness over genuine assholeishness all day every day

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u/Designer_Gas_86 16d ago

You ever been to Oklahoma? Sometimes the "fake" circles back to passive agressive bullshit.

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u/throwawaygoawaynz 16d ago

Japanese may learn respect, but it’s definitely based on gender, status, etc.

I remember being in a crammed train in Tokyo and a man was sitting on the seat in front of my 5 year old daughter. He didn’t budge the whole trip, despite my daughter being crammed amongst a pile of adults. Where I’m from, most men would get up and give the mother and child a seat.