A bizarre situation I got into with two Japanese ladies - is it cultural or what?

There was a garage sale run by the Japanese ladies. I set aside a huge pile of stuff to buy. We agreed they will give me a volume discount, but had not discussed the precise figureI went to a bank for cash.

Got a flat tire. It was an unusually hot day, I had no water, but I made it to the bank on foot and called for my bf for help, mostly just to be true to my word.By that time, they realized they underpriced, and did not want to bargain anymore. They tried to hint gently, but I did not want to hear that, to me, a deal is a deal, right?

They got very angry, like I am a highway robber, and flat out refused any bargain. I felt furious, too, being taken advantage of by neigbors. Then my bf said that they were probably brought up so ladylike that they could not flat out say "no" to my face.

He also said that, in a culture where saying "no" is a big deal, maybe saying a simple "yes" is not exactly binding? Maybe it's more like "yeah, OK.."? Maybe there is a keyword for "yes"?

Asked by :-) 17 months ago Similar questions: bizarre situation Japanese ladies cultural Local > Asia.

Similar questions: bizarre situation Japanese ladies cultural.

The situation should have been mixed with the culture and their personalities. First, I am sorry to hear about your bizarre experience. I am a Japanese female and will write my personal comments.

I have no idea on how long and how deeply you and the ladies are getting along and also no idea on how much they have English language and American culture knowledge. However, I think that the situation should have been mixed with the Japanese culture and their personalities. Overall, Japanese including male do not express "no" or negative feelings clearly.

Even in a business situation, we say something like "We will consider it later. " in order to avoid saying clearly "No, we are not able to accept your proposal". It is one of the famous examples for the Japanese culture.

I know that to express an idea or feeling is very important and praised in America, but it is not in Japan. I understand "deal is deal", but they should have tried to negotiate with you without just refusing any bargain because underpricing was their fault. I guess that they were not familiar with business or negotiation and that their immaturity made them react just like it.In addition, they must have wanted to make money as much as possible.

I don’t intend to protect them, however I suppose that they were not willing to take advantage of you because you both initially agreed a volume discount. However, I think that the cultural difference and their personalities made the situation bad..

1 Some details would be helpful. askville.amazon.com/incident-Japanese-la... .

2 Sorry. Askwille's idiosyncrasy that it even posts that. 2nd question deleted.

Sorry. Askwille's idiosyncrasy that it even posts that. 2nd question deleted.

3 Yes. It's possible. It is a cultural thing for Japanese, especially women, not to say no.

I know this has driven American companies crazy trying to figure out exactly when they have a deal with a Japanese company. Basically, you don't have a deal until a contract is signed. And you basically didn't have a deal with these Japanese ladies until they accepted your money.It is THEIR stuff to sell.

If they want to take it back, they can. You didn't have an agreement yet, even if you thought they had agreed to it. The fact that you disappeared for a long time may have insulted them too (even though you had a good excuse).

I know people put aside things at a yard sale and never come back. So the bottom line is forget about it. Or, if they truly are close neighbors to you, send them a gift.

The Japanese LOVE gifts, even if it's only flowers, chocolates, or a little thing. They might even reconsider their deal. The Japanese LOVE apologies too.

If you want to come over in person to deliver the gift, then you will make quite an impression on them.

Yes. It's possible. It is a cultural thing for Japanese, especially women, not to say no.

I know this has driven American companies crazy trying to figure out exactly when they have a deal with a Japanese company. Basically, you don't have a deal until a contract is signed. And you basically didn't have a deal with these Japanese ladies until they accepted your money.It is THEIR stuff to sell.

If they want to take it back, they can. You didn't have an agreement yet, even if you thought they had agreed to it. The fact that you disappeared for a long time may have insulted them too (even though you had a good excuse).

I know people put aside things at a yard sale and never come back. So the bottom line is forget about it. Or, if they truly are close neighbors to you, send them a gift.

The Japanese LOVE gifts, even if it's only flowers, chocolates, or a little thing. They might even reconsider their deal. The Japanese LOVE apologies too.

If you want to come over in person to deliver the gift, then you will make quite an impression on them.

Poppet! Said: 4 It might not just be a cultural thing, but a seller's thing...seller's remorse! They probably realized while you were gone that they were losing a lot of money on the sale--they probably had people interested in your pile of stuff and they couldn't sell it.

They had time to really think about it and do the math of what you were paying and what they wanted. With you taking a long time to come back (understandably, but they had no way of knowing if you would even come back! ), they probably stewed over their "loss", and might have been upset that a neighbor was taking advantage of them (it works both ways!).

If you want to be neighborly, and try to mend fences with the ladies, you might try DanZee's recommendations! .

It might not just be a cultural thing, but a seller's thing...seller's remorse! They probably realized while you were gone that they were losing a lot of money on the sale--they probably had people interested in your pile of stuff and they couldn't sell it. They had time to really think about it and do the math of what you were paying and what they wanted.

With you taking a long time to come back (understandably, but they had no way of knowing if you would even come back! ), they probably stewed over their "loss", and might have been upset that a neighbor was taking advantage of them (it works both ways! ).

If you want to be neighborly, and try to mend fences with the ladies, you might try DanZee's recommendations!

Just when you think is cannot get any more bizarre. " "What are the cultural differences of europe and asia" "Most Bizarre...." "Do you think parents in america need to understand the cultural differences in Japanese Animation?

Just when you think is cannot get any more bizarre.

What are the cultural differences of europe and asia.

I cant really gove you an answer,but what I can give you is a way to a solution, that is you have to find the anglde that you relate to or peaks your interest. A good paper is one that people get drawn into because it reaches them ln some way.As for me WW11 to me, I think of the holocaust and the effect it had on the survivors, their families and those who stood by and did nothing until it was too late.