[Mageia-discuss] Cultural difference: "Let your yes be yes" <---> "It is rude to say no"

[Frank Griffin]

On 07/12/2012 06:01 PM, Johnny A. Solbu wrote:
> I tend to not answer the question,

I think you're missing the point.  In some cultures, not giving offense 
trumps telling the truth.

I've found this to be the case in the past with the Japanese on IT 
matters.  When they say "yes" they really mean "I understand the request 
you are making", not "I am committing to doing it".  They expect you to 
know that what you are asking is (in their view) unreasonable.

It's the same with the Northern Irish kids (and probably the 
British,since it's the same school system model).  They'll agree to do 
things they have no intention of doing because  you just should have 
known that nobody would do that regardless of what they promised you.

Like I said,culture.