Losing Face

If a Japanese person gets embarrassed or feels they are losing face, what would their behavior look like?  Would they not look at the person they feel like they have slighted or offended, or what?  I saw this recently and was wondering.

こんにちは (Konnichiwa) ClaudiaR27,

Thanks for your question! 

The answer to this really depends on the individual since everyone is different. Having said that, there are a few behaviors which tend to be common among Japanese people when they feel embarrased or feel they are losing face. 

First off, apologies are a big deal in Japan, especially when it comes to maintaining social harmony. So, even for minor slip-ups or misunderstandings, you'll often hear Japanese people apologizing. It's all about quickly restoring peace and balance.

If someone feels they've lost face, a deep bow is also quite common. It's a sign of respect and remorse. Plus, they might go the extra mile to fix whatever went wrong, making sure the other person is okay or the situation is smoothed over.

You might also notice that they become more reserved in conversation. They could talk less, be more careful with their words, or generally try to keep a low profile to avoid making the situation worse.

And if the awkwardness comes from a specific topic, they may switch gears and talk about something else as a way to move past the discomfort and onto safer ground.

I hope this helped! 

勉強を頑張ってください！ (Benkyō o ganbatte kudasai!)

Thannks, Emma!  This helps explain the behavior I saw that was confusing to me.   I love learning new things about Japan and its people.