Quote:
Originally Posted by ppo
I have been always told that you have to respect people older than you. But how about you anyone? (I am 29)
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One of the most important things anyone studying Japanese can do to make themselves look and sound more proficient in the language is to mimic natives and to have a strong empathy for them as well.
In this regard, if I were to see a peer ぺこぺこing then I would just follow suit. As the old saying goes 郷に入って郷に従え.
If it's someone you know, you would probably be polite. 校長先生 = polite, まったく知らないおっさん = probably polite, unless they are a complete &%$# to you off the bat.
As long as you have a mutual understanding that a certain level of politeness is OK, there shouldn't be a problem. Also, it's not as much about respect as it is "being polite". IMHO.