Setting Norms
Integral to all communicative situations is the feature of setting - both
temporal and spatial (Hymes 1972: 60). In the data of situations involving
Australian and Japanese businessmen various problems in politeness which
relate to timing norms were identified. Where the problems involved
deviations from the Australian norm, a negative evaluation was generally
imposed by the Australians. Generally, Australian business personnel
prefer mid-day business luncheons, whereas in Japan evening is the
preferred time. This was so for all Australian participants in the two videorecorded
luncheons. Through interviews it was established that Australian
businessmen in Melbourne tend to negatively evaluate dinner invitations
from Japanese businessmen. Negative evaluation also occurs if the
invitation is issued just prior to the occasion, particularly for an evening
encounter. This is so since in the Australian cultural system an invitation
normally would be made well in advance. A7, for instance, who worked as