I know it is important to be good at Keigo in Japan, especially when you are working in a Japanese company, in the corporate environment etc.. but I am wondering if, After quite a long time here, the Japanese folks perceive the same way a foreigner speaking in keigo and a local speaking in keigo? Meaning, is the impact the same? Are they expecting this way of speaking from us or do we benefit of some, hmm, leeway regarding this aspect of the JP language?
Because in several occasion, I, and some of my acquaintances, have been in situation when after using Keigo, the Japanese interlocutor replied with a very casual Japanese mixed with some English words. As if it was a way of saying “don’t worry, relax, you can go easy on the keigo”.
by TheGuiltyMongoose