I was using the comment system on mercari JP and I wanted to buy an item. Of course I was using masu form and speaking as politely as I’ve been taught (between N3 and N4) but I think because I was rushing I said “コメント失礼します…”
For me “…” usage in text can mean either like a hesitation to say something or continuing on kind of thing. It is kind of thing I just do in general to make my words more subduded and hesitant sounding? Like “excuse me, um…” that kind of thing
In any case they basically told me it was inappropriate to use: ” 「…」を使用するのはどうかと思いま す ” and they did not want to sell to me anymore. I apologized for being rude and that I wasn’t aware it was rude but didn’t pursue any conversation further.
I really didn’t mean to be rude but now I’m curious what is the usage situation if anywhere? Does it have to do with not sounding humble anymore or talking down to them?
In any case, I’ll be careful not to let my English idiosyncrasies bleed into my Japanese messaging anymore though
2 comments
i don’t think the … was the issue here, why would you write “comment, i will insult”? (or “comment, excuse me” 失礼します can also mean that) – with or without a bizarre ellipsis afterwards that could mean anything?
were you trying to say “excuse me i want to ask a question” ? or “pardon my question” ? because that’s definitely not what you said, it’s just awkward and weird and that’s the issue, afaict. the seller just latched onto one of several weird things.
For what it’s worth I would actually be careful using “…” even in English when texting. In my experience the ellipsis means very different things to different people. Some people use it to express a kind of quiet bewilderment, disdain or irritation. When I’m texting somebody who’s using a lot of ellipses in random places it really stresses me out because I think they might be mad at me.