A High Ratio of Keigo (Polite Speech)#

It’s natural that Haruki, as a subordinate, speaks to Kozuka using keigo—but Kozuka also uses polite speech when talking to her, reflecting a modern, considerate managerial style.

Dialogue in the manga is natural and not overly dramatized, so learners could safely model their own speech on it. Because conversations between the two main characters themselves are conducted largely in polite language, the overall ratio of keigo dialogue remains consistently high.

Source: Guriko, Kozuka Bucho Gohan issho ni dodesuka?(SHONENGAHOSHA)

Modern, Natural Office Keigo#

Given the workplace romance setting, many scenes take place in the office. Conversations with colleagues and staff from other departments are woven throughout, offering realistic examples of the kind of polite Japanese actually used in corporate environments.

Source: Guriko, Kozuka Bucho Gohan issho ni dodesuka?(SHONENGAHOSHA)

“Unladylike” Dining? Gendered Food Spaces#

Traditionally in Japan, certain types of restaurants have been culturally coded as “male spaces.”

These include:

• Pork bowl chains
• Ramen shops
• Beef bowl counters
• Late-night diners serving large portions

Such places are associated with quick, filling meals for hungry salarymen. As a result, a lingering social perception developed: that it is “unrefined” or “unfeminine” for young women to visit these establishments alone—especially to eat large, greasy meals.

Even today, some women feel self-conscious about being seen in these environments, particularly by coworkers or acquaintances.

The Rise of Ohitorisama: Solo Life as Independence#

This norm began to shift in the late 1990s.

The term おひとりさま (ohitorisama) emerged to describe independent single adults—especially women—who enjoyed activities alone, such as:

• Dining out
• Traveling
• Going to concerts or movies
• Pursuing hobbies solo

Rather than being seen as lonely, this lifestyle was reframed as confident and self-reliant.

By the mid-2000s, the idea sparked an “ohitorisama boom.” Businesses began marketing services specifically for solo female customers, recognizing a new consumer demographic.

From “Ohitorisama” to “Solo-katsu”#

In later years, the term ソロ活 (solo-katsu, “solo activities”) gained popularity, modernizing the concept.

Today in Japan, it is quite common to see women enjoying:

• Solo café visits
• Solo travel
• Solo karaoke
• Solo luxury dining

On the surface, solo enjoyment appears fully normalized within women’s lifestyles.

Persistent Undercurrents: Why the Stigma Remains#

Yet the manga’s 2022 setting highlights an important reality:
Some older value systems remain deeply rooted.

While solo cafés or travel feel socially accepted, solo visits to “heavy, masculine” food spots can still carry stigma.

In other words, acceptance is selective.

• A woman dining alone at a stylish café → socially comfortable
• A woman eating a giant pork bowl alone → still judged by some

This reveals how gender expectations continue to shape perceptions of “appropriate” behavior.

Social Expectations by Gender and Age#

This phenomenon reflects a broader pattern in Japanese society:
People are often expected—implicitly—to behave according to norms tied to:

• Gender
• Age
• Workplace role
• Marital status

Examples include:

• Women expected to favor lighter meals or “cute” dining spaces
• Men discouraged from ordering small portions or sweets
• Older employees expected to avoid trendy youth culture
• Young workers expected to show modesty in consumption

These expectations are rarely written rules—but they function as powerful social pressure.

What This Means for Japanese Learners#

For learners of Japanese, understanding these dynamics adds cultural depth to language study.

Dialogue about food, embarrassment, or “being seen” often carries subtext shaped by:

• Gender norms
• Generational attitudes
• Ideas of propriety (はしたない / unrefined behavior)

When a character says, “I don’t want anyone to see me eating there alone,” the meaning goes beyond personal shyness—it reflects social conditioning.

Culture in Transition#

Modern Japan sits at an intersection:

• Individual lifestyles are expanding.
• Solo culture is widely marketed and visible.
• Yet traditional expectations still influence self-image and behavior.

This tension—between independence and social perception—frequently appears in contemporary manga and drama, making such scenes especially meaningful cultural learning moments.

Are the Expressions Too Sensual?#

A core element of the story is Haruki’s fascination with Kozuka’s eating. These depictions are often exaggerated in a sensual, almost seductive way—something that may not appeal to all readers.

Source: Guriko, Kozuka Bucho Gohan issho ni dodesuka?(SHONENGAHOSHA)