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Old 01-08-2008, 08:00 PM   #31
Joseph Madden
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 160
Canada
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Re: Sempai kohai differences

Quote:
Mary Malmros wrote: View Post
Hmm. Well, neither of you quite answered my question. What I was asking, simply, was: do you believe that anyone senior to you is "sempai" and anyone junior to you is "kohai"?
Hmmm... I thought I answered your original question. My answer is no.
Although a certain level of respect is expected with whoever went through the door first, that does not necessarily mean that the senior student is going to know more or lead the way. Some kohai may have a level of understanding that sempai lacks in his/her self. And vice versa. Since the way is fostered through mutual understanding and trust as Kevin pointed out so succinctly, there needs to be give and take on both sides. We learn together. If we want to.
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