Part of growing up in Japan is about naturally acquiring shoseijutsu -- phrases and expressions that get you through difficulties and make good impressions.
To the Western mind, a lot of shoseijutsu phrases may seem meaningless or hypocritical; to the Japanese, their simple utterance will make doors swing open or guarantee instant closure.
Most prominent among shoseijutsu are various iiwake (excuses) that go down with everyone as "teisai ga ii (looking good in the eyes of society)."
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