A lump of reserve

May 8, 2008 on 9:50 am | In Culture, Humor | | Email This Post

If you’ve been in Japan for a while you’ve probably heard the phrase 遠慮 (enryo). It basically means to hesitate, to have reserve, or to constrain yourself.

It can be used in many ways…

To refuse an offer…

Kid 1: 明日またカラオケ行こうよ！ - ashita mata karaoke ikouyo! - Let’s go to Karaoke again tomorrow!

Kid 2: えっ、また？行きたいけど、遠慮しとくわ。- eh? mata? ikitaikedo, konkai ha enryo shitokuwa. - Eh? Again!? I want to go but I’ll pass this time.

To tell someone not to hold back…

うわぁぁぁ〜ステーキだ！- uwaaaaaaa suteeki da! - Wow! Steak!

遠慮せずに食べてください。- enryo sezuni tabetekudasai - Don’t hesitate to eat all you want.

There is also a famous saying that goes, 遠慮の固まり。(enryo no katamari)

Katamari refers to a lump or clump of something. You might know that word from the video game Katamari Damacy actually… Anyway…

This, is an enryo no katamari.

As you can see, an enryo no katamari is the last piece of food (or other desired item, but usually food) that no one touches because they don’t want to seem like the greedy person who rudely grabbed the last bite.

Typically in Japan, this last tasty morsel will sit around for a few minutes while people carry on, and then at some opportune time ssomeone will offer it to somebody else in the group. “Hey, eat this Joe!” Joe will refuse, and insist that Sam be the one to eat the last bit.

After some more of this someone will finally eat it and the party will be over.

Or everyone will just hang around and watch more comedy shows on TV.

- Harvey

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10 Comments »

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  1. Gravatar

    Ah, I never knew what the name for this is. Thanks!

    “Enryo katamari” is a god-send for waiters like me working until 11pm. The most enryo’d food is sashimi which is almost always gets left (^_^) If it’s a selection of 5 fish, sometimes there’ll be one slice of each. It’s the Japanese way of subconcious tipping, hehe.

    Comment by Alec — May 8, 2008 #

  2. Gravatar

    I have certainly come across my fair share of 遠慮の塊 (enryo no katamari) and I have discovered that method for prodding someone into ‘taking a katamari for the team.’ Namely, you just break out the ‘残り物に福がある (nokorimono ni fuku ga aru)’–the remaining thing (piece of food, what have you) contains good fortune (so eat it).

    Comment by Jesse — May 8, 2008 #

  3. Gravatar

    *bloghopped* Ah, so this cultural trait is not just unique to Filipinos. I don’t remember what we call it, but I see it all the time. One other reason I have heard is to allow someone else who is hungrier to get the last piece. I think I like this reason better. :D

    Cheers.

    Comment by gail — May 8, 2008 #

  4. Gravatar

    Bad example…I would have never turned down a lump of…whatever the heck that thing was (a Cheetoe?)

    Comment by Joe — May 8, 2008 #

  5. Gravatar

    Great word, thanks Harvey. I know it’s uncommon even in America, but if the table next to me leaves some 遠慮の固まり and exits the izakaya, I’ll snatch it up. This ABSOLUTELY freaks out my Japanese friends. Try it sometime!

    Comment by Brian — May 9, 2008 #

  6. Gravatar

    Next time I eat at an izakaya and a hennagaijin is sitting next to us, I will make sure to lick every piece of leftover food before leaving.

    Comment by Joe — May 9, 2008 #

  7. Gravatar

    Hi

    I am a publisher of THE EAST; the only English newspaper, which is mainly focused on the East Asian information (at the beginning of every month, more than 12,000 free copies are distributed throughout the London area, particularly, where East Asian Networks are established).

    I looked at your blog the other day and have been wondering if there would be any chance that we could publish some of your interesting articles on the paper.
    We think some of your blog articles should be very helpful to the Westners who are interested in Asian Culture.
    The East cannot afford to pay for your articles right now (as we are non-profitable organisation). However, if you wish, we can still offer you:
    1. Advertising space
    2. Link to THE EAST web site blog section

    We look forward to hearing from you shortly.

    Many thanks and kind regards,

    Hyung Wook Lee
    Publisher
    MBA(Edin)

    THE EAST, The East Asian Monthly Business Newspaper,
    Elephant Consulting Limited, 37 Charter Court, Linden Grove,
    New Malden, Surrey, KT3 3BN, UK
    Tel : + 44 (0) 7912 608 321 / Web site: http://www.theeast.org / E mail : publisher@theeast.org
    Registered in England & Wales, Company No. 6254454

    Comment by Hyung Lee — May 9, 2008 #

  8. Gravatar

    The ONLY one? Really? Wow…

    Comment by Joe — May 10, 2008 #

  9. Gravatar

    Talk about exclusive.

    Comment by harvey — May 10, 2008 #

  10. Gravatar

    Wow, you should feel privileged, Harvey. The only newspaper didn’t ask me… ;)

    Comment by Stephen — May 11, 2008 #

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