[personal profile] anna_wing 2023-02-24 05:40 am (UTC)(link)
It can be both, depending on the society, who the parties are both individually and in relation to each other, the context in which the issue arises etc etc etc. All societies have elements that are both Guess and Ask, but they will vary according to context, and often natives may not even consciously know the difference themselves, because they have totally internalised the unspoken rules.

Foreigners usually have a bit of leeway in that allowances are made for ignorance, especially in social situations and if they are clearly manifesting good will.