<i>Toriaezu “Sonouchi shokujidemo shimashō”</i>—Anyway, “Let’s Have Dinner Together Sometime!”

The survey finds the following tendencies relative to respondents’ demographics. - Whether or not to use the prefix “o” or “go” that show politeness in a sentence using the humble expression “itadaku” was surveyed. As to “(o)-toiawase itadaku” [a humble form of “receive an inquiry,” literally meaning “I benefit from someone’s inquiry”], for overall respondents, both forms (with and without “o”) are accepted by many, but not overwhelmingly. The younger, the more people support the attachment of “o.” Meanwhile, an overwhelming number of respondents support the form without “go” for “(go)-etsuran itadaku” [I benefit from someone’s browsing] and “(go)-akusesu itadaku” [I benefit from someone’s accessing], and the younger, the stronger this tendency. - Regarding expressions using “sasete itadaku” [I benefit from someone’s permission to perform this action], generally speaking, those who have a positive impression of these expressions are highest among the age group of the 70s and decrease as the age group becomes younger. Not many people support this phrase among college graduates. By region, Kansai have more supporters than Kanto. The above tendencies are almost similar to the results of past surveys. - As to ‘koko-wo massugu “itte morattara” arimasu-yo’ [go straight “for me,” then you’ll find it], the younger, the more people support it. Many supporters are found among college graduates and in Kansai. - In terms of considerate expressions such as “sonouchi shokujidemo shimashō” [let’s have dinner together sometime], used when you do not actually intend to do so, and considerate verbal behaviors such as telling your friend, “Sorry I’d like to come, but I have a prior engagement” when you are invited to a gathering that you do not want to attend and in fact your schedule is free, by and large, support for these expressions and behaviors is highest among those in their 30s and other socially active groups, but lowest among those over 80. College graduates have many supporters for them. - The proportions of those who “never fail” to use greeting expressions are higher among “females,” “30s,” “college graduates,” and “Kanto residents.” - Regarding “Where are you going?” or similar questions asked by neighbors, those who regard them as “natural greetings” are noticeably higher among “males,” “70s and over 80s,” and “Tohoku residents.”