In this episode, I explore how greetings in Japan go far beyond simple politeness. Saying “hello” or “good morning” often reflects hierarchy, power, and unspoken social order. I share my own struggles with greetings as a company employee, how these rituals reveal authority dynamics, and what I discovered after moving abroad to Thailand. I also reflect on how becoming a freelancer freed me from the obligation to greet. Through this reflection, I question whether greetings are expressions of respect—or instruments of control—in Japanese culture. Join me as I unpack the hidden hierarchy behind everyday words.