Reputations that last inter-generationally can apply and modify behaviours (even including kids trying to get their parents to act better) even if no individual cares about what happens after they-in-particular happen to die.
When shminux mentioned ‘honor’, my thoughts were more along the lines of an internally-generated code of conduct (eg, “What you are in the dark”) than an externally-enforced one; perhaps describable as honne rather than tatemae and giri.
Reputations that last inter-generationally can apply and modify behaviours (even including kids trying to get their parents to act better) even if no individual cares about what happens after they-in-particular happen to die.
When shminux mentioned ‘honor’, my thoughts were more along the lines of an internally-generated code of conduct (eg, “What you are in the dark”) than an externally-enforced one; perhaps describable as honne rather than tatemae and giri.
Yes, more of a self-respect thing, like not shoplifting even when there is no danger of getting caught. I suppose the word “honor” is too ambiguous.