Quote Originally Posted by Aegis View Post
TIL: Western is a race

Slightly more seriously: Japanese players are a great deal more circumspect, which can pass for tactful in a bad light.
Did I say possible? Sorry, definite.

When I was studying Japanese,
I think I found the root of the issue. This isn't something you gleaned from actually interacting with people, its something you picked up in language class. I'll say it again, tact isn't cultural/national/racial. It's something you learn with interacting with others.

To your language point, every group has it's own linguistic bits that allow them to signal each other (My favorite is the southern idiom "Bless his heart") without appearing to be rude.