Q.

Is it inappropriate to ask people's age in Japan?

A.

Generally speaking, age is used to determine the formality of language that should be used to communicate. Japanese people want to know your age in order to figure out the appropriate style of speech and adjust behaviors accordingly. It is one of the important information when starting a relationship with Japanese people. Perhaps, it is similar to how Japanese people ask about blood types!

Did you know why people ask your age a lot? What is it like in your culture?

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