Friday Phrase: Arigata-meiwaku

[calzephyr77.livejournal.com]

We have all experienced arigata-meiwaku, or unwelcome kindness. It expresses the sort of "I know you were just trying to help" feeling when someone does you a favour that you didn't want them to do. Maybe it even creates more trouble and stress for you, but you still have to express gratitude.

I found this nifty phrase on Twitter, where others chimed in that there is a similar European concept called bear's favour--Björntjänst (Sweden) or Bärendienst (German)--based on a fable where a bear accidentally kills his friend while trying to swat a fly on his head.

Comments

[ghost-light.livejournal.com]

Wow!!

[prettygoodword.livejournal.com]

Related, sorta -- Bärendienst is more a "favor" that causes actual harm, while an arigata-meiwaku is something unneeded that causes the embarrassment of consequent obligation.