What is the meaning of へりくだった態度?


I am somewhat confused about the meaning of `へりくだった態度`.

The `へりくだる` means being humble. So I'd assume that `へりくだった態度` means `humble
attitude`. However, most of [translations I
found](http://eow.alc.co.jp/search?q=%E3%81%B8%E3%82%8A%E3%81%8F%E3%81%A0%E3%81%A3%E3%81%9F%E6%85%8B%E5%BA%A6&ref=sa)
give the `condescending attitude` — that is quite the opposite meaning from
what I've expected. `Condescending` does mean `lowering oneself` (so it is
somewhat related) but is generally used for people displaying their
superiority when dealing with other.

So, what does it actually mean? Does someone exhibiting a `へりくだった態度` is humble
or condescending (as in patronizing)? Has this word a good connotation (like
humble) or bad (like condescending)?




へりくだる only means "act humbly, lowering oneself below one really is", so you
won't know they do so because they're really humble, or on courtesy, or
patronizing, or having other thoughts.

As for alc.co.jp, where you find those translations, though they boast of
abundance of information, their dictionary is basically made up by collective
authorship, which doesn't always guarantee the optimal.




へりくだる only means "act humbly, lowering oneself below one really is", so you
won't know they do so because they're really humble, or on courtesy, or
patronizing, or having other thoughts.

As for alc.co.jp, where you find those translations, though they boast of
abundance of information, their dictionary is basically made up by collective
authorship, which doesn't always guarantee the optimal.

