Cultures.

In the newspapers today (It's always the newspapers. I always find something fascinating to rant on. Give a guess why.), there was a sub-editor who is studying Japanese in Kyoto. She mentions how "unnerving" her experience at a Medical Center in Japan is, due to their politeness.

Now, some of you may know that I enjoy Animes and quite a bit of Japanese music. However, I do not think that this is a way to my defending Japan in anyway. I just didn't like how the article is written.

First of all, I'm very sure that staff in a medical center will not say "Gomen nasai" before they jab a needle into one's arm. "Shitsurei shimashita", which means "excuse me", but can also be translated to "I'm sorry", would most likely be used. The same goes with the phrase "Otsukaresama deshita" which was said when this sub-editor walked out after her medical checkup. It can mean many things, usually used for "Thank you (for coming)" or "Thank you (for your work)".

Somehow, this article decided to use the latter.

It's weird, because as anyone who translates would know, that it is the MEANING that is important. There's no way you can translate language A to language B word for word, and to still have it making some sort of sense. Besides, how does one translate "Yoroshiku", the japanese equivalent of 请多多指教? In fansubs, most people translate it as "Nice to meet you", because "Please teach me more", or "Please take care of me" for its Japanese counterpart, usually won't make sense.

By talking to two friends who both have a JLPT 1 qualifications, and one who is currently studying in Japan right now, we've come to the conclusion that Japanese do not say "Sorry" just for every other thing. Rather, it is their culture, and the way they use it. For example, "Watashi" is used mostly by girls, while "Ore" is used by guys. (Note that quite a few male anime watchers use "Watashi" because that's the only thing they hear the girls saying. XD. And if I hear you calling me "-chan", I'll , quite frankly, smack you. XD)

It's the same for Japanese. They could have used "Ano-ne", "sumimasen", "gomen nasai" and "shitrei shimashita", all which can mean "excuse me". However, the context, and the meaning, for each, is quite different.

That aside, I was wondering why the article was being so negative with the Japanese's culture of saying "excuse me" and "sorry". With a title going by "Saying 'sorry' comes easily", one does get an impression that Japanese says sorry without truly meaning it.

But that isn't it. It's just their culture, and nothing is wrong with mannerism. What is wrong with a nurse telling you to inform her should you feel faint when your blood is being taken out, which is compared to the cold attitude of Singapore nurses who just stab their needles into your veins, pump the red goo out, and walk off? One cannot expect to go to another country, and expect everything to be done the same way as it is done back in one's home country.

For a country where racial harmony is so important, such an article showed blatant disrespect for another's culture. This is even more so as it is published in the State's newspaper, a front where it should be showing the public how it is done, instead of setting a bad example of it. With Singapore's neighbours already bringing the house down with all these disputes, Singapore would do well not to make yet another enemy.

And to do that, will require lots of understanding and respect for another's culture. Even more so, when they are actually showing politeness to you.

Because, quite frankly, it could be, much, much worse.

Trust me on that. >_>

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Damn.

>_>

<_<

>_<

Tough days ahead.

Time to shoulder them and play this game.

Ugh.