Why Is Pecking-Order Important for Japanese?

In Japan, there are honorific expressions used to show respect to the person addressed. It's very important for Japanese to use them. We call those expressions "keigo". However, I think it's less important to use them in the U.S. Why do Japanese use keigo?

Japanese people often have to use keigo. Actually, there are expressions like keigo in the U.S. For example, when I talk to the president of a company, I shouldn't talk to him as I talk to my friends. It's the same as Japan, but there are specific kinds of terms and expressions and it's kind of complicated. Even if my mother talks to her mother-in- law, she uses keigo, which are polite terms to show respect to her. It's usual and courteous. Also, if I talk to people who are one year older than me, I should use keigo. The reason why Japanese people often use keigo is that they regard pecking-order as important. In society, like our places of work or schools, it's important who is older. We often judge who we should respect from their age. This is because many Japanese systems are seniority systems. There is a custom that we respect elder people in Japan.

I think people in the U.S. also respect elder people, but Japanese people express that by terms, so it's easy to find out the custom. When I'm in the U.S., I often think about it. It's one of the most interesting cultural differences between Japan and America.