When Standing Out Is Not a Compliment
2026-08-16
Kenichi Uchikura
Founder & CEO
Pacific Software Publishing, Inc. (PSPINC)
ken.uchikura@pspinc.com
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ABOUT THIS BLOG
Kenichi Uchikura is a Japanese-American entrepreneur and founder of PSPINC. Through this blog, he shares stories and insights about Japanese history, culture, traditions, business, technology, and everyday life. His goal is to help readers better understand Japan, its people, and the values that continue to shape Japanese society today.
ABOUT PSPINC
PSPINC (Pacific Software Publishing, Inc.), headquartered in Bellevue, Washington, was founded in 1987 and has been providing internet technology services since 1997. PSPINC offers web hosting, email hosting, software development, IT support, cloud solutions, and digital marketing services. The company operates infrastructure in the United States and Japan and supports businesses worldwide with reliable technology and bilingual service.
For Service & Inquiries
Call: 1-800-232-3989 or 425-957-0808
Email: info@pspinc.com
Web: www.pspinc.com
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When Standing Out Is Not a Compliment
The Japanese verb 浮く (uku) literally means “to float.”
A boat floats on water.
A balloon floats in the air.
A balloon floats in the air.
But when 浮く is used to describe a person, it takes on a very different meaning.
会社で浮いている。
Kaisha de uite iru.
“He stands out at the company.”
Kaisha de uite iru.
“He stands out at the company.”
This is usually not a compliment. It means someone does not quite fit into the group. Their clothes, behavior, opinions, or personality may be noticeably different from everyone around them.
In English, “standing out” can often be positive. We are encouraged to be different, attract attention, and distinguish ourselves from others.
In Japanese, however, 浮く suggests standing out in the wrong way.
Imagine several objects floating together on water. One drifts away from the others. It has become separated from the group.
That feeling is 浮く.
Sometimes standing out is good. But in Japan, there is also an art to knowing when to stand out—and when to belong.
Disclaimer: I use AI as a tool to help create images and proofread my writing. However, the ideas, opinions, experiences, and messages in my posts are my own. AI does not generate my posts for me. It simply helps me present my own words and ideas more clearly.
Kenichi Uchikura
Founder & CEO
Pacific Software Publishing, Inc. (PSPINC)
ken.uchikura@pspinc.com
X (Twitter) |
Facebook |
..-･**･-....-･･-..__..-･･-....-･**･-..
ABOUT THIS BLOG
Kenichi Uchikura is a Japanese-American entrepreneur and founder of PSPINC. Through this blog, he shares stories and insights about Japanese history, culture, traditions, business, technology, and everyday life. His goal is to help readers better understand Japan, its people, and the values that continue to shape Japanese society today.
ABOUT PSPINC
PSPINC (Pacific Software Publishing, Inc.), headquartered in Bellevue, Washington, was founded in 1987 and has been providing internet technology services since 1997. PSPINC offers web hosting, email hosting, software development, IT support, cloud solutions, and digital marketing services. The company operates infrastructure in the United States and Japan and supports businesses worldwide with reliable technology and bilingual service.
For Service & Inquiries
Call: 1-800-232-3989 or 425-957-0808
Email: info@pspinc.com
Web: www.pspinc.com
..-･**･-....-･･-..__..-･･-....-･**･-..