"Offten times, you’ll be kicked out from important discussions in many organizations. … If you find (reading the air) stressful, that’s a problem,” said Shinobu Kitayama, professor of psychology and research professor at the Institute for Social Research, commenting on the pejorative Japanese term “kuuki ga yomenai,” or “unable to read the air,” which can blow business deals or ruin relationships in a society where communication tends to be indirect and messages are inferred.

BBC