American Directness and the Japanese Essay -- Essays Papers

American Directness and the JapaneseAmerican and Japanese managements of sermon argon so different that they often cause culture bump to both Americans and Japanese who visit each others country. Most Japanese who lift to the United States are at first shocked and demand a problem with the American train way of speaking.Culture shock occurs because closely Japanese cannot easily escape from the traffic patternula polishedness= indirectness. Compared to the American way of speaking, Japanese speak much more indirectly. Directness is considered a form of impoliteness in Japan. Therefore, when we want to be polite, we speak and act very indirectly. For example, we seldom adduce, Ill go to a bathroom, except when we are with close friends. Usually, we say, Ill go wash off my hands. Especially when we are at the table or with an important person, we say only, Excuse me. Ill be back in a minute because we do not want to remind other people of the bathroom, which is considered a dreary place, even though it is actually clean. Also, other Japanese can generalize that we are going to a bathroom from this phrase. But Americans cannot. They ask where we are going since they have no idea what we are going to do give away a phone call? buy somewhatthing? Yet, in this case, these questions make Japanese frustrated, wondering why these Americans do not understand our polite expression.Basically, expressing our desire directly is not considered polite, and culture shock happens to Japanese when Americans want us to express our feelings honestly. Concerning appetite, when we are guests, we are unlikely to say, Im hungry. We put up with hunger until we are asked, Arent you hungry? Even when we answer the question, we want to bear polite, so we never say, Yes.... ...ure shocks to Japanese who come to the States.The difference between American and Japanese ways of speaking can cause us some bad experiences at first however, once we get accustomed to the direct spe ech of Americans, it is more convenient than the Japanese way. First, we can say what we want. Second, we do not have to hesitate to tell the truth in cabaret to be polite. Finally, it frees us from unnecessary misunderstandings. The third point makes us well-chosen because it makes us feel we have adjusted ourselves to American society at last. Compared to Americans trying to learn the Japanese way of speech, we are supposed to have much less difficulty learning the American way. At first, it magnate seem to be difficult, but in a few months, we pass on find ourselves comfortable in the direct speech of the Americans and may be in trouble when speaking with newcomers from Japan.