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In the second line, Ueno asks Yamamoto if she knew if Matsuda would be going, using an exalting verb irasshaimasu to refer to Matsuda's action. Yamamoto responds using the same verb. In this two-line mini-dialogue, therefore, Ueno and Yamamoto constitute the in-group and Matsuda is in out-group (and Sakuma is not involved in this mini-dialogue within a dialogue). This explains their use of the verb. In Line 4, Ueno is back speaking to Sakuma. At this point, Ueno represents the Company Y and his in-group comprises of Yamamoto, Matsuda and himself. The out-group is Sakuma. Thus he proceeds to use humbling mairimasu for Matsuda's action. In the last line, Sakuma, the only member of her in-group, says that she is going↓ too. Observe how in-group and out-group membership changed.
To Use Keigo or Not to Use Keigo
Use of keigo is optional in the sense the speaker is empowered to describe situations more deferentially or less deferentially. Like any other linguistic choice, making the choice of using too little or too much gives rise to various suggested interpretations. Consider this variation—if Ueno and Yamamoto both feel that they do not need to acknowledge CEO's status to each other, they could choose to describe the CEO's action as iku 'go', a verb which has no exalting or humbling connotation. This may happen after hours when they let their hair down over a drink, while, for instance, complaining about how badly they are treated at this company.
One further example of using less-consider another variation of the situation involving the visitor, in which Ueno and Yamamoto do not show any deferential attitude to their CEO.
Sakuma (to Ueno): Shachō irasshaimasu ka?↑
"Is the CEO going?"
Ueno: Yama-san, shachō iku tte?
"Hey, Yamamoto, any news if our chieftain is going?"
Yamamoto (to Ueno): N, iku yo.
"Uh-huh, I know she is."
Ueno (to Sakuma): Ee, mairimasu.↓
"Yes, she is"
Sakuma: Jitsu wa watashi mo mairimasu.↓
"In fact, I am going too."
Ueno and Yamamoto's utterances to Sakuma does not change but the dialogue between them does. It is characterized by a more direct way of interaction and a neutral, non-deferential way of referring to CEO's attending the meeting (the verb iku 'go'). If a situation like this takes place, Sakuma takes back any number of different impressions about this company. Possibilities include that that workers are not trained as to their proper professional language use (Isn't it rude to have to see that display? Is the misuse just ignorance? Intentional?), the CEO's not running the company well (Does she lack power? Does she choose not to exercise power? Does she use a more egalitarian management style?), that the younger workers do not acknowledge a hierarchical ordering of workers (Alas, it's so hard to get good help nowadays), that Ueno and Yamamoto have developed a personal relationship (Why are they speaking so directly to each other? Are they in love? It is so unprofessional and improper), just to name some obvious interpretations.
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