❄️ on cultural differences (netbook)

[beathollow]

This is Mafuyu Asahina. It's come to my attention that another from... an iteration of my home country is here, now, so I thought it might be important to explain a specific cultural norm. Those in my country, and some similar to it across both the world and across dimensions, have very strict guidelines about names and politeness.

It is normally considered rude to use one's first name without permission. Most of my classmates would call me Asahina instead of Mafuyu despite being in the same class as while we are on good terms, friendly terms even, we are not close friends. Using one's first name without permission among peers is overly familiar at best, rude at worst. It can get even more complicated if one goes into honorifics, but I don't have the time or energy for that.

(I personally do not mind using Mafuyu with the people of the Grove due to personal matters, but that should not be assumed of everyone from Japan or countries similar to it. I just thought this might be helpful for others.)

I'm going back to resting now, unless anyone has questions? I guess. Please keep in mind I am still not fully recovered though.

( as a note, when she writes asahina mafuyu, it's with kanji that translates roughly to 'midwinter morning'! in case anyone wants to be an excited dog about name meanings. )

Comments

[unheiring]

I appreciate the clarification Asahina.
Though, hm -
Would it be just Asahina, or would a formal prefix such as Lady or Ser be more apt?

[beathollow]

I'm not from a high-class family, so Miss would be the most fitting. 'San' is the equivalent from my country, as you may hear from Mayoi. (He's very polite.)

( ... it makes sense that he would choose to be polite and formal, but it kind of stings being called asahina again.

she'll deal with it though. )

[unheiring]

[Sorry, Mafuyu. It's only because he's abundantly polite and doesn't feel like he's earned the right. He just wants to respect her culture! You know, against her insistence.]

Thank you for the clarification, Miss Asahina. It's appreciated.
May you heal well.

[beathollow]

Of course. And thank you.

[unheiring]

Naturally.
If you find yourself in need of a hot meal, let me know. I usually have leftover soup well into the evening.

[beathollow]

( oh... )

Thank you. I appreciate that a lot.

[unheiring]

You do not need to thank me
We of this village should stick together, don't you think?

[beathollow]

I think so. Its

nice, being in a smaller community, I think.

Mom was part of the neighborhood committee. But we were only a small part of a huge city.

[unheiring]

I am glad you see it that way. I feel similarly. Aerea, the city I lived outside of, was quite large, and it could be overwhelming at times. I much preferred our manor outside of the bustle. It was far easier to manage.

[beathollow]

Do you not like crowds?

[unheiring]

Not particularly. Though in this case it was more the particular attention that crowd brought.