cultural compaisons:

this information will prove useful to me in learning the differnt social norms in japan. how you are suppsoed to act in certain situations. when to and not to do certain things. in general i teaches me to be polite above all else.

ごめんなさい。

In Japan there is a great emphasis put on ceremony and procedure. You are not supposed to show your emotions in public and are expected to read between the lines and pick up what is not being said in a conversation. It is a common practice in Japan to conceal one's true feelings (本ね)in the place of proper protocol (たてまえ). This is also the case in apologizing. In Japan it is expected that one apologize even for the smallest affronts, even if it is not one’s own fault. The function of the apology is not to admit you have done wrong and ask for forgiveness but to appease a person that you might have offended, therefore restoring the external harmony of the situation. American culture is completely different, while there is slight importance put on ceremony it is better to be direct and outright with your meaning, people should not have to read your mind and know what you want, you should tell them. Expression of emotion in public is much more accepted in America, and silences are awkward rather than expected as a reprieve. There is also much more emphasis on the individual in American culture than in Japanese culture, people intentionally draw attention to themselves and try to stand out, in contrast Japanese try to appear part of a group and not abnormal.

language comparisons:

This information will be usfull to me becuase I will know the difference between different honorifics, and I will know how they are used in japanese society.

日本語の中でかたがきがあります。えい語の中でかたがきがあまりあります。

This contrast between the individualism of America and the group ethic of Japan stand out in language as well as culture, as does the emphasis in Japan on proper procedure. In America it is customary to call someone by his or her first name, as to make them seem more recognized and unique. In Japan calling someone by their first name is seen as extremely rude (unless you are very close to them, and then you still use an suffix), usually someone is addressed by their last name followed by an honorific. The one used for everyday interactions and people you consider equals is さん, while interactions with your superiors can include suffixes like さま, which is used in the place of さん when addressing someone of higher station, and せんぱ, which is used in the place of a name when addressing upperclassmen in a school or company setting. There are also titles used when addressing persons lower than one self in stature, these are titles such as くん, which is used in place of さん when addressing one’s inferiors (usually used with males) くん is also a more intimate form than san and can be used among close friends that one considers equals. ちゃん is another example, most often used when children are talking to or referring to family members or friends, it can also be used when adults address children, or in addressing close friends or lovers. In stark contrast titles are almost non-existent in America beyond Mr. And Mrs. and sir.