Compassion can be counterproductive. .I had a headache when I woke up this morning, so I made a reservation for a head massage using the online reservation site.
When I arrived at the salon, I was told to sit down first, saying, "It's a cup reserved at noon. Thank you." Then he said, "Please fill in this," and the clerk handed me the registration documents on the clipboard.
However, while handing it over, the clerk asked, "Oh, are you okay?"I'm disappointed each time that It is often said more directly, "Can you read this?"
I have been studying Japanese for college, have lived in Japan for a long time, and have been working in Japanese, so I am aware that I can speak Japanese. My Japanese still has many drawbacks, and there are many words I don't know. So it's sad to think that you can't read or write. I feel that even though I made a lot of efforts to read and write Japanese, I was told that.
When asked by the clerk, he shouted in his heart, "If you have enough Japanese ability to use the online reservation site, you can read it!" Or "I got a quasi-master of calligraphy!" But I didn't say it. Because I know the clerk would have been kind. I answered " It's okay!", But I was a little offended.
There is a very good habit of "compassion" in Japan, but unfortunately this time it can be said to be counterproductive. Many Japanese are shy, so it's hard to say that if you get something you can't read, you need help. I will speak to such a person first. The problem is that many foreigners don't always feel compassion because they have a culture of "if you need help, say it yourself."
I would like to propose a compromise to balance what the Japanese are trying to be kind with and how I do not want to be treated specially as a foreigner. I think it's just right if the clerk says, "If you have any questions, please tell me." If someone really can't read Japanese, they will say, "Actually, I can't read it," and it won't hurt anyone who can read it like me. The impression is completely different just by changing the words a little.
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