-In Japan, when someone makes a suggestion or tip to you, they are usually telling you/asking you to do something instead. Where as in the US culture you can choose to take the tip or suggestion, in Japan sometimes it is a command rather than an option. Particularly if they start the sentence with できれば (dekireba)… (if you can...), this seems to always be a command rather than a suggestion as it may sound to western ears.
先生: できれば、しちじに来てほしい。(sensei: dekireba, shichiji ni kite hoshii.)
Teacher: If you can, I'd like you to come at seven o'clock.
せいと: はい！わかりました。(seito: hai! wakarimashita.)
Student: Alright, I'll be there!
Teacher: If you can, I'd like you to come at seven o'clock.
せいと: はい！わかりました。(seito: hai! wakarimashita.)
Student: Alright, I'll be there!
-Japanese is difficult not in that it uses kanji and the grammar is strange compared to English, but that there exist innumerable euphemisms that only those who have been exposed to the culture for a certain period can catch in a conversation. What they say is not always what they mean. You can translate something into English but direct translations are often incorrect and misleading.
-The more you know~
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