The difference between Japan, Korea and US

Politeness rules: Japanese players bowing towards fans after a rugby match in Scotland. Japan is a country where people are polite and friendly – and where everything is done by the book. Deviating from the norm is seriously frowned upon. – Reuters

RECENTLY, a Korean journalist stationed in Tokyo wrote an amusing article comparing Japan, South Korea and the United States. He wrote of his experience in each of the three countries when he tried to change the delivery date of a TV he had purchased.

In Japan, the customer service agent was extremely nice and friendly, but declined his request politely, saying it was against the policy. In Japan, you are rude if you try to change your appointment when the prearranged date is near.