I think the distinction is shame vs guilt society if anything. Guilt is more intrinsic while shame is more external socially. China is more shame with their concept of face. Telling the customers their meal might be a bit late is loss of face even if it arrives on time. Insisting everything is fine and stalling up until it may or may not arrive is the "proper" thing to do.

Essentially that seems promotes both "do what it takes" and "do what you can get away with".