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Using Polite Japanese To Be Rude — 13 Comments

    • That was the phrase I was looking for. I couldn’t remember what it was called so thanks for providing that!

  1. i always thought よかったですね sounds rude
    like “well la di da, ain’t you the lucky one”

  2. I’ve definitely been over-polite when I’m actually angry. I was at an izakaya with some friends and the service was terrible–staff ignoring us when we sumimasen’d, waiting forever for our food and drinks, etc. When we finally got their attention I smiled super sweet and said すみません、申し訳ないんですけど、先注文したものはまだ来ていませんが。。。 and got a こわっ from my friends. Not quite the same scenario as the article but just goes to show you can use polite Japanese more than you thought!

  3. I can think of one more. In the second scenario, one could reply with “もう行けばいいでしょう。い~け~ば~”. Here, it can be assumed the speaker is not happy to perform the act and the intention will be passed on by saying “If this is going to satisfy you, then fine, I will just leave”.

    • Yea pretty much. Sometimes it’s not good to pile too much politeness all in one sentence as it becomes redundant. As it says though, there is nothing wrong with the sentence and it is quite commonly used.

  4. I think this sounds like passive-aggressive people’s answer about something they don’t like.

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