The Art of Humility: Why Japanese People Struggle to Accept Compliments

Tokyo, Japan – A recent online discussion featuring Japanese content creator Mr. Fuji and international guests has shed light on a fascinating aspect of Japanese culture: the subtle art of receiving compliments. The video, which has garnered significant attention, explores why many Japanese individuals tend to deflect praise rather than accept it directly, a behavior that often puzzles foreigners. During the discussion, a Romanian participant expressed her confusion, stating, "Why won't you just be honest and say 'Thank you!'?" This sentiment was echoed by a Canadian guest, who humorously wondered if the Japanese response implies, "Yeah, I know I'm great, dumbass." The American participant likened giving a compliment to presenting flowers, expecting a direct acceptance. Mr. Fuji explained that in multiethnic societies like the U.S., it's often necessary to explicitly state one's achievements to ensure they are recognized. However, he noted that Japanese people, sharing a more homogeneous cultural background and similar values, often believe that genuine effort and success are inherently understood by others, making explicit self-acknowledgment or direct acceptance of praise unnecessary. "If you really did a good job, others will notice, even without the need to show it off," Mr. Fuji clarified. This cultural perspective leads to responses like "Oh no, not at all" even when receiving genuine praise, a practice that highlights the deep-seated value of humility in Japanese society.

LIMO

「素直じゃない…」褒めても否定する日本人に、外国人が困惑！「ありがとう」を言わないの？ 「褒めてる時の感覚が似ているもの」がとっても素敵です | LIMO |…

SNS上では外国人が日本の文化やグルメに驚く投稿が注目を集めます。今回は「@mrfuji_from_japan」さんがTikTokに投稿した「なぜ日本人は賞賛を受け入れない？」をご紹介します。