Originally Posted by corporate-wage-slave

I have to say some of this is like being in The Remains of the Day, which was of course written by someone of Japanese heritage: we operate within these bounds of duty, service and the rules of behaviour, over-arched with a dollop of dignity and an avoidance of external conflict, even if that means a bit of internal conflict / personal anguish.

Easily solved by asking "ooooh, any chance of a cup of tea and a biccie?"