The Japanese have perfected good manners and made them indistinguishable from rudeness.
Meaning of the quote
The quote suggests that the Japanese have become so skilled at having good manners that they can sometimes seem rude. This is because their polite behaviors have become so natural and automatic that they may not stand out as obviously polite to outsiders. In other words, the Japanese have made good manners a normal part of their everyday interactions, to the point where it's hard to tell the difference between their politeness and potential rudeness.
About Paul Theroux
Paul Theroux is an acclaimed American novelist and travel writer known for works like ‘The Great Railway Bazaar.’ He’s also the father of famous authors Marcel and Louis Theroux, the brother of writers Alexander and Peter Theroux, and the uncle of actor Justin Theroux.
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