Comments on Nihonjinron evidence
My good friend has posted comments on the previous post regarding evidence used to support Nihonjinron theories. Read the whole thing , as they say. He points to a great article on "amea" which was something the Professor spoke about in class. He also talks a little about language structure (and how you might more easily anticipate a speakers ideas before she finishes). I like this anecdote: Around the dinner table with Japanese friends, my glass is always filled before it is empty. Sauces, dressings, etc. are always being passed to me before I even ask. A simple glance around the table in search of the mayonnaise is enough to have it handed to me without so much as a word about it. There is no magic here. My friends are simply noticing that I'm looking for something, then putting it together with what is on my plate that is without sauce, and taking action. What impresses me is that this "気配る" (kikubaru (key koo bah roo)) or "distribution of one's energy" goes on constantly and effortlessly. I do my best to be as attentive as them, and fail miserably 80% of the time. While traveling in Japan, I'm constantly admonished by my wife for being rude and not filling others' glasses fast enough.