Trying to respond to a compliment without a millimeter of humility
I received this question in my membership, 'Writing Club'.
The top-of-the-top phrase that members of the Writing Club say in unison is this: 'Kotoba-to-san is 'flat. The sense of distance is just right'. It's really true; it's not too close, but not too far (omitted). Is this something you do naturally...? How does it work? (Soramame Monaka-san)
Ah, I get told that a lot, don't I.
The sense of distance is good, which is why the Writing Club is also comfortable. Of course, I'm happy, and I feel like, 'Yay! I'm being complimented!!' But. To answer first, I think it's 'natural'. Because I've never tried hard to be flat or to keep the same distance from everyone.
I can hear someone saying, 'Hey, don't try to look cool!' But it's not like that; it's been like this for me since long ago.
It's not quite Yukichi Fukuzawa's 'Heaven does not create one man above another...', but I have a very strong sense that 'everyone is the same'. Ah, let's be honest. It's true that since I was a student, I noticed people around me strangely wanting to establish hierarchies. Like, 'Why are you so concerned with status?'
I really didn't understand it at all.
Why do they want to stand above others like that? I guess they feel secure if they are above others (if there is someone below them)? This is very mysterious to me. As I became an adult, I realized, 'I see, that's how humans are.' But even now, I have absolutely no interest in it.
And things like 'mounting' (one-upping), too. Honestly, I can't understand the people who do that. How little confidence do you have in yourself? (Is this me 'mounting' now?)
Also, the fact that this is a business is a big part of it. I run this membership thinking of it almost like a 'shop'. Wouldn't you hate it? Whether it's a restaurant or a general store, if the owner changed their attitude depending on the customer. If it were me, I'd never go to that shop again.
Ah, maybe I'm just providing the kind of customer service I would want to receive.
Oh, I get it! I'm a first-grade elementary school student. First, you're told, 'Let's get along with everyone.' Then, you learn, 'Don't do to others what you wouldn't want done to you.' I'm just executing that (laughs). Because I haven't been told that I've graduated from that yet. So obedient~
If you'd like, here is an article answering Soramame-san's other question: 'Why is there no smell of profit-seeking?'
I'm happy to receive your thoughts and shares! Please also check out the "Writing Club" where we all improve together.
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いつもありがとうございます！なんかおいしいもの食べます。