The Japanese Silence
The Japanese are known for their staunch customs, beliefs and etiquette- so much so that they are spelt out in minute detail. One unique feature of their several practices is that of “silence.”
The Japanese tend to be suspicious of words; they are more concerned with a person’s actions. They believe in using silence as a way of communicating. They also believe it is better to talk little than too much.Japanese take special note of the pauses between words. They are comfortable with less talk and longer periods of silence than the Westerners. They may use silence as a strategy to unnerve business partners. The Japanese tend to give very little explanation as to what they mean and their answers are often very vague. They dislike saying no and will not tell you if they do not understand. If they disagree or do not feel they can do something, they will make a statement like “it will be difficult.” They often leave sentences unfinished, allowing the other person to finish it in their own mind.
It is because they are quieter people that they emphasize on body language. A lot of communication is carried out through silence- only with body language. Silence is definitely a weapon as it makes us better listeners and more observant.
