Visit to Japan

[NoHachi]

The thing you have to remember is that Japan has an unordinary large amount of social control. Much of everyones lives is concerned with what other people might of think of you, which has led to a expansive set so sociatal rules. Japanese people know these rules and react accordingly.

Gaijin do not.

For example, when you first meet somebody there is a whole procedure you go through to establish each other social positions. Sometimes when two insecure people meet this can escalate into a bowing war. You'll see this sometimes on the street, two people continuously bowing towards each other, neither willing to risk being the first one to stop.
Anyways, its their custom to be super friendly towards guests and the guests know to politely accept the customary things and politely decline anything outside that. Any requests in this stage may be interpreted as a very strong request for something.
Now insert your run of the mill "Wow what friendly people" foreigner and see what happens..much, if not everything that happens is misinterpreted.

Thing is, ask any Japanese person this and they won't tell you. Its not something that is written down, its silently accepted. Anyone wanting real insights into this community would have the best chances by finding a foreigner that has lived in Japan for years and getting them to give you a crash course. I have personally seen an entire group of Dutch people stay in Japan for 2,5 months and learn absolutely nothing about the place. Amazing.