#833 Enryo Is a Lie!?

What I thought was consideration for the other person led to a surprising reality.

While living abroad and trying to respect the local language, the personality realized that the concept of "enryo" simply does not exist overseas. For Japanese people, it is an important action expressing thoughtfulness and consideration, but they experienced culture shock upon finding out that it is received completely differently locally.

Being told "that's a lie" by the other person during an exchange over a meal.

When having dinner as usual at a local family or friend's house and trying to decline by saying "don't worry about me" or "I'll pass" out of consideration for the host, they were pointed out that this was "a lie, not telling the truth." Though confused at first, they realized that hiding one's true feelings and holding oneself back actually comes across as an insincere attitude.

The misunderstandings arising from differences in culture and values are fascinating.

It is quite interesting how actions meant with good intentions across cultural barriers can end up missing the mark. How the Japanese virtues of modesty and reserve are perceived overseas. They talk about a certain event they faced precisely because they were close-knit relations. Please listen to the main episode for the rest.