Natural Speed Please
I've found a minor difference in the concept of "smiling" in the West and Japan.
Not to speak of situations of where you feel happy, you smile for the same reason anywhere.
However, there are some situations where Japanese people smile, but people in the West do not. It seems that this type of Japanese smile really confuses people from other countries.
I had an experience; Several years ago, my coworkers and I went to the airport to meet an important client and his wife. That was our first meeting and we decided to have a cup of coffee in a cafe at the airport.
What happened there was that his wife tumbled off the chair! Gee~ The Japanese people tried to put on a smile on their faces, although they really felt embarrassed as if they had fallen off the chair.
Some foreigners call some types of our smiles a "forced smile". For example, when we try to hide our weakness or when we have some negative feelings, we smile. It seems that it looks mysterious to foreigners.
Viewing it from a Japanese point of view, it is our way of showing tenderness and compassion. It's worth much more than behaving too honestly, but this works only when we all know our culture. Otherwise, it does puzzle people.
I guess that smile is highly valued in the West. It must be very important to encourage people to feel comfortable, and at ease with being around you.
This is what I should learn more about from you!
