Louise Bremner wrote:

> Ed <gwbush@whitehouse.com> mused:
>
>
>>Japanese are not kind.
>
>
>>That's right. They are not kind. It's not that they are unkind, but rather
>>that the concept of kindness isn't part of the Japanese psyche. Oh, they
>>understand the concept well enough. It's just that they don't see the
>>point. Why be kind to a stranger? Why care about somebody because they are
>>human, thus deserve kindness?
>
>
> I've been pondering your post all day... It's just so close to a theory
> I postulated some time ago, I wonder if you've hit on the same thing I
> did.
>
> My speculation was that everyone is issued a certain amount of
> *something* (which I thought of as *politeness* but your *kindness*
> seems to fit just as well), and it's up to the individual to use that
> *something* has s/he sees fit (different individuals will, of course, be
> issued different amounts of this *something*).
>
> In which case, it does make sense to avoid wasting this *something* on
> complete strangers--far better to invest it in situations that reap the
> best advantage from the individual's point of view....
>
> Or have I drunk too much wine?

You may have; I don't know (I certainly did last night). However, your
idea of saving your quantity of *something" for situations that are to
one's advantage matches what I've read about Japanese society (can't
come up with a reference at the moment), and what I've been told by
Japanese people themselves: no point in starting something with someone
you don't know. You may end up with an unwanted obligation, and, in any
case, the person is soto, and your uchi is enough trouble already.

Preparing for my racist label,

Dan