[SSJup81]

I'm still a newb, but I actually prefer the Japanese way of apologizing for the reasons MMM stated. For instance, a few weeks ago, I made a mistake and instead of making excuses, I just apologized for the mistake I made. I didn't know it was a mistake, though, until later on when I was informed, but I did apologize for it. It made me feel better anyway to show that I was genuinely sorry. Why being apologetic in the US is a sign of weakness is beyond me. My father's the same way and wonders why it's viewed as a sign of weakness. He apologizes when he makes mistakes too and has no problem admitting to when he's wrong (unless he genuinely feels he's right. lol)

That aside, I haven't experienced too much here, but I do like the whole politeness issue whether it be genuine or not, I prefer it.

Seems the main thing I do dislike is when I'm spoken to in attempted English when I actually asked for something in Japanese or spoke Japanese in the first place. I can't learn to communicate better if people only toss English out at me.