Re: [9fans] graphviz-1.10 port

[Noah Evans <noah.evans@cwru.edu>]

----- Original Message -----
From: "boyd, rounin" <boyd@insultant.net>
Date: Monday, March 8, 2004 8:07 am
Subject: Re: [9fans] graphviz-1.10 port

> > Yes, but you can't expect people just to forget their cultural
> differences.
> > In Japan, addressing someone with their last name, but without a
> > "politeness" suffix is considered undignifying/rude/offensive 
> (take your
> pick).
> 
> depends on the situation.

Brief description of suffixes(I'm sure you know this boyd, this is for other people, not to patronize you):

sama = gods, really honored folks (i.e. kami[god]-sama)
san = normal polite suffix but inappropriate for teachers and medical doctors(always referred to as just "sensei")
kun = male diminuitive used by superiors to inferiors(e.g. at work I'm "Noah-kun")
chan = female diminuitive also works for boyfriends, children and pets.

using a last name without a suffix is disrespectful because it's something like saying "that guy roberts", meaning that you don't really care for the person. First names, on the other hand, are an indication of familiarity(and can also be rude if used in the wrong context[e.g. to bosses and superiors]). 


Noah