Cultural Differences that shape culture bound theory which in turn may affect hikikomori symptoms.

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1.       AISATSU:   It is drilled into children from a very young age to say good-morning, good-afternoon and good evening on absolutely every single encounter with anybody in your life and also strangers that pass through your living/working  area BUT not out and about on hikes etc. If these words are not exchanged, a following encounter with the person may be strained. Posters at schools everywhere and banners in school playgrounds read “Don’t forget your daily greetings”.  A teacher or two will man the gates of schools, elementary through high school, every morning and every single child entering the gate is expected to say in a clear polite voice, their morning greeting. A tremendous amount of kudos and respect is given to ( and kept score of)those students or members of society who never fail to forget to appropriately greet with the accompanying slight head bow at all times, to all members of  their group.

This is the OPPOSITE from expectations in the UK, USA etc. where we may pass a stranger out hiking and greet them but where it is often considered  uneccessary, too formal  or  just strange to say these words  within the family or one’s close circle of friends.