Quote:
Originally Posted by Japania
I’d say that an individualist thinks using ‘I’ and a gregarious person prefers to think in terms of ‘we’. The gregarious one seeks and enjoys the company of others. For example, a gregarious person would prefer to travel in group than on their own.
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I think you are correct in the first sentence, but not correct for Japan in the second.
The concept of social harmony as it is seen in Japan is very hard for Westerners to wrap their heads around, as it is so foreign. It took me years, and I am not 100% sure I fully get it.
The Japanese idea of acting for the "we" is not about preferring to travel in groups or be in big groups. It is not about being "social" in that sense of the word.
A few examples, in Japan there is more consciousness of "circles of influence" and ranking within those circles. This isn't militarist, it is actually comforting. It gives the proper clues to communication. This is true not only in business, but also socially. People are aware of each other's ages and act accordingly. For example if I were to go out to dinner with people younger than me, I will be treated as the "host" and will pay the bill...every time. However, if I go out with someone older than me, I know he will pay the bill...every time.
Another example would be in the classroom. If a teacher calls on a student to answer a question it is very normal for the student to get "consensus" from the students around her before answering the question aloud. Even if she knew the answer. It is more important for the class to look smart than it is for the individual to look smart.