Got it â for
ordinary people in Japan, yes, they often
downplay or even
deny dating, especially in the early stages.
Hereâs how it usually plays out:
- Among friends/classmates/coworkers:
If someone teases âAre you two dating?â, itâs very common to laugh it off with âChigau, chigau!â (No, no, thatâs not it!) â even if they actually are. Admitting it directly can feel embarrassing or attract too much attention.
- Early stages:
Instead of saying âweâre dating,â people might just describe the situation as âii kanjiâ (a good vibe) or âmada wakaranaiâ (I donât know yet). They may only admit to dating once it feels more âofficialâ or stable.
- Public vs. private:
Couples often donât show PDA or talk openly about relationships in group settings. Among close friends, though, theyâll be more honest.
- Reason behind denial:
Itâs less about dishonesty and more about modesty and avoiding embarrassment or gossip. Being too upfront can feel âun-Japaneseâ in casual social circles.
So, in short: yes, ordinary Japanese people often deny or dodge the question when asked if theyâre dating, at least outside their closest circle.
đ Do you want me to also explain how this compares to how people in the U.S. or other countries usually handle it?