One thing that I absolutly hate about anime is the prideful tears thing...

[thehadoken]

I love anime, but one thing really bothers me: When characters get really proud or complemented they usually start crying followed by a little speech on how they are not worthy. It is just so annoying, and distracting...one of my anime pet peeves.

Anyone else agree?

[Ryos]

It's a cultural deal that goes through a great deal of hyperbole for anime. Humility is a significantly more common trait in Japan (heck, Asia in general) than anywhere in our egocentric society. I've never been really good about accepting compliments either, so maybe that's why it never bothered me. Or my Japanese history major, I dunno.

[something]

I love anime, but one thing really bothers me: When characters get really proud or complemented they usually start crying followed by a little speech on how they are not worthy. It is just so annoying, and distracting...one of my anime pet peeves.
For some reason I'm blanking on examples. Maybe it's just the way you worded it? Where are some instances where you saw this?

[bctaris]

I love anime, but one thing really bothers me: When characters get really proud or complemented they usually start crying followed by a little speech on how they are not worthy. It is just so annoying, and distracting...one of my anime pet peeves.
For some reason I'm blanking on examples. Maybe it's just the way you worded it? Where are some instances where you saw this?

It's more common in manga (especially historical samurai manga) than in anime, in my experience at least.

And it is a cultural thing, given much to hyperbole by creators, as Ryos says. A melodramatic tool, simply enough, like maniacal laughing or other sometimes absurd traits.

[BonifaceVIII]

Modesty is one of the things that pisses English teachers in Asia off to no end. Any compliment you give someone is automatically gainsaid and contradicted.

It's not charming, it's neurotic.

[Bibulb]

It's not charming, it's neurotic.

Hey, we don't do it to be charming, we do it BECAUSE we're neurotic. (At least for me, anyways...)