Attitudes towards the "senpai–kōhai" system vary from appreciation for traditions and the benefits of a good "senpai–kōhai" relationship; to reluctant acquiescence; to antipathy. Those who criticize the system find it arbitrary and unfair, that "senpais" were often pushy, and that the system results in students who are shy or afraid of standing out from the group. For example, some "kōhais" fear that if they outperform their "senpais" in an activity, their "senpai" will lose face, for which "kōhais" must apologize. In some cases, the relation is open to violence and bullying. Most Japanese people—even those who criticize it—accept the "senpai–kōhai" system as a common-sense aspect of society, straying from which would have inevitably negative social consequences.