When I first came to Japan I was very honest and spoke just as I thought to everyone.
Someone would offer me a cup of coffee and I would say, "I don't drink coffee!" and never think twice about the position I was putting my hostess in. The Japanese culture views such honesty as "childish." To say what you think without considering others' feelings is childish.
So I began to feel pressure to change my ways after I got used to Japanese cultural thinking and accept a cup of coffee even though I knew I wouldn't drink it.
But there comes a time when you need to find a balance between honesty and consideration. You need to be true to yourself, but find a way to do that without hurting others.
I now tell my hostesses beforehand that I do not drink coffee (or tea for that matter) and prefer ice water all year round. No one can believe it, but I am happier drinking their ice water than I would be suffering through a cup of hot caffeinated drink I find unpleasant.
I wonder if I am still considered childish by Japanese standards??
There are many ways to refuse something offered to you, and you can explain how you feel after expressing gratitude for their kindness.
I have also had the experience of hurting the feelings of my host by refusing point blank what they offered me, but now I try to say thank you first and then refuse nicely.
Knowing how to refuse depends on understanding the nuance of words and their meanings. We need to study and extend our vocabulary to be able to decline politely Thank you ,Sal^^
6 件のコメント:
なるほど~
確かにNOといえる子になることは大事ですよね。
長いものには巻かれろ・・・的な日本人。
私もたぶんにそういうところがあるけれど、NOをハッキリいえるキチンと自分の意見を持つ。
簡単なようで意外と難しいことなんですよね。
When I first came to Japan I was very honest and spoke just as I thought to everyone.
Someone would offer me a cup of coffee and I would say, "I don't drink coffee!" and never think twice about the position I was putting my hostess in. The Japanese culture views such honesty as "childish." To say what you think without considering others' feelings is childish.
So I began to feel pressure to change my ways after I got used to Japanese cultural thinking and accept a cup of coffee even though I knew I wouldn't drink it.
But there comes a time when you need to find a balance between honesty and consideration. You need to be true to yourself, but find a way to do that without hurting others.
I now tell my hostesses beforehand that I do not drink coffee (or tea for that matter) and prefer ice water all year round. No one can believe it, but I am happier drinking their ice water than I would be suffering through a cup of hot caffeinated drink I find unpleasant.
I wonder if I am still considered childish by Japanese standards??
イヴままさん、ナイスコメントありがとうございます。
自分を素直に表現するって難しいです。
気持ちをストレートに言い過ぎて
相手を傷つける場合もありますもの。
小さい頃から言葉のトレーニング必要ですね。
断る場合でもうれしいけど〇〇〇
ありがとう、だけど〇〇〇
すみませんが〇〇〇
っていうと言いにくい事も言えそうです。
日本語でも練習していないと
なかなか出てきません。
円滑なコミュニュケーションは
日頃の努力しかないですね~☆
There are many ways to refuse something offered to you, and
you can explain how you feel after expressing gratitude for
their kindness.
I have also had the experience of hurting the feelings of
my host by refusing point blank what they offered me, but
now I try to say thank you first and then refuse nicely.
Knowing how to refuse depends on understanding the nuance
of words and their meanings. We need to study and extend
our vocabulary to be able to decline politely
Thank you ,Sal^^
考えてしまいました。私はこの歳になっても
「断ること」が下手な人間です。
育った環境と教養、NOがはっきりいえる事が
いいとは限らないこともあり、難しいですね。でも、言葉の勉強はしっかりすべきです。状況が「読める」人間になりたいと思います。日本語はその点では「言葉の宝庫」だと思います。読書をいっぱいしましょう。
chandoraさんの言われるコミュニュケーションで言葉の練習をするしかないでしょうね。わたしも頑張ります。二度目の栗をお楽しみに!!
fukufukuさん、
沈黙は金といった文化で育っていますから、
うまく自分を表現することが出来ない場合が
多々あります。
後になってああいっておけばよかったこういっておけばよかったと悔やみます。
読書をしてことばの勉強しなければいけませんね。
私はfukufukuさんとの会話を楽しみながらことばを教えてもらっています。
ありがとうございます。ペコリ
ドラゴンズがリーグ優勝しました。
やっぱりうれしいですね^^
やりました~☆
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