Japan is a nation of courtesy. Rather than thinking about what you can do for someone, you first must think about what you “might” do that would harm or cause trouble to someone.
In fact, it almost seems as if everybody is trying hard to be invisible and not bother others.
In an unique culture like this, you want to acknowledge that someone is paying every bit of attention to not bother you, even before they or you have done anything.
“Osewa ni narimasu”（お世話になります）
We would have to break this phrase down to fully explain the dynamics of it.
“Osewa” means “care”. When you take care of someone, you would say “osewa wo suru(do some care)”
Then, there is the receiving side, which is “osewa ni naru”. If you are talking about a great teacher you had back in your school days, you would say “osewa ni natta (he/she took good care of me)”.
Now, we get to our phrase: “Osewa ni narimasu”.
In its literal meaning, it means “I will be taken care of”.
But this definitely doesn’t sound like a daily conversational phrase.
What this phrase signifies, is that you already know that they will be doing some good to you, and that’s why you are acknowledging it before they even do so.
The closest phrase in English would be “Thank you in advance for your kindness and care”.
The perfect timing to use this phrase would be if you are staying over at your friend’s house or simply a hotel.
Friend: “Hey, you should just stay at my place!”
You: “Really? Osewa ni narimasu”
Hotel Clerk: “Welcome to our hotel”
You: “Osewa ni narimasu”
Interesting, isn’t it? Seems like Japanese people are assuming everyone is going to be nice to them.
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Shibui（渋い）- Fun! Japan Words vol.16
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