Hacker News Reader

> They usually won't tell me if they don't understand something

Why do you think that is? Because I was raised to always ask questions and learn what you don't understand. I have never really "studied" with a Japanese friend or colleague so I can't say I've ever had the same experience.

View on HN

The standard explanation is that fear of loss of face[0] makes the Japanese not want to expose the fact that they don't understand what you're saying (or have written).

0: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Face_(sociological_concept)#Chi... (the Chinese explanation also largely applies to Japan)

Reply on news.ycombinator.com