meaning of "kokoro ga semai"

[ninjin]

Hi everyone,
I'd like to understand what "kokoro ga semai/ 心が狭い” means. From the little that I do know of this, it has a wide range of meanings.If a direct English translation won't help, please give stories (real or made-up ones) which illustrate this personal characteristic. In what ways can somebody be desribed "kokoro ga semai"?

In particular, I'd like to know how this trait is expressed in interpersonal relationships.

thanks.

[flotsam]

a nice general observation used by japanese when remarking on the narrow mindedness of the foreigner:

bucho: we don't hire black people at this company because they have no business sense.
joe gaijin: but isn't that racist?
bucho: kokoro ga semai naa

[drpepper]

Don't think that was a good example as that would suggest naevity not narrow mindedness. Basically narrow minded is a good translation..

[flotsam]

sweet jesus. that's the fucking point.

naivety WILL BE confused with narrow mindedness and vice versa. who's naive and who's narrow minded depends on who has the deciding vote. japanese protect their ignorance with accusations.

[American Oyaji]

Thre is a big difference between narrowminded and naive.

Narrow minded is akin to closeminded in that an individual is willfully not open to other points of view and is rather stubborn about it.

Naive is different in that a person doesn't know or consider that a bad result can occur despite good intentions or good will. Due to youth or inexperience.

[AssKissinger]

I prefer 'asoko ga semai'.

[Catoneinutica]

I prefer 'asoko ga semai'.

[drpepper]

Oyaji is right on point and that is what I was saying.. kokoro ga semai does not mean naive..

[drpepper]

I prefer 'asoko ga semai'.

I am sure all the girls tell you that but they are just trying to make you feel better about yourself.

:rofl::rofl: