Friday, May 14, 2010
Saturday, May 8, 2010
Four and a half things I like about Japan
In gearing up for job interviews here in Tokyo I decided I should be prepared to answer some likely questions, such as why did you move to Japan? What does your husband do? (this one still confuses me) and what are your impressions so far of Tokyo?
In the end, I think I have come up with at least an answer to what I like about Japan. It boils down to a an overarching sense of respect the Japanese appear to have that permeates into all aspects of life. Some examples:
(1) respect for oneself - I have never seen such a consistently well put together group of people (e.g., new moms wearing high heels, with their hair styled, make-up on, nails painted and generally looking fabulous; men wearing suits to the park on Sundays). Really people, wtf?
(2) Respect for others - I'll sum this one up by pointing out that over 30 million people coexist peacefully here (e.g., no lashing out when being crammed into crowded trains by men with white gloves every single morning and evening, and, of course, the city is unusually safe). What do they know that we don't know?
(3) Respect for city and country - the city is unbelievably clean despite the overpopulation and its residents tend to think Japan is the greatest thing since sliced bread. It's strange to live in a place where people are not dreaming about moving someplace else.
(4) Respect for the system - not only is the quality of service here unparalleled but everyone gives 100% to whatever they do (e.g., the repairman brings his own slippers when he comes to fix something and then asks my permission to clean up the (non-existent) mess he made; the cashiers at the supermarket bow to me as I leave; the phenomenal waiter literally jumped back three feet when we tried to tip him.) Exceptional service with no expectation of a tip? What is really going on?
(5) Respect for the group - I suppose they call this one "consensus building" but it translates into people never saying exactly what they mean. For example, "it will be difficult" really means "no" or, one I heard recently: "this restaurant has great ambiance" translates into "the food is not so good." As a New Yorker, this one actually irritates me but then again, I sort of like it too.
In the end, I think I have come up with at least an answer to what I like about Japan. It boils down to a an overarching sense of respect the Japanese appear to have that permeates into all aspects of life. Some examples:
(1) respect for oneself - I have never seen such a consistently well put together group of people (e.g., new moms wearing high heels, with their hair styled, make-up on, nails painted and generally looking fabulous; men wearing suits to the park on Sundays). Really people, wtf?
(2) Respect for others - I'll sum this one up by pointing out that over 30 million people coexist peacefully here (e.g., no lashing out when being crammed into crowded trains by men with white gloves every single morning and evening, and, of course, the city is unusually safe). What do they know that we don't know?
(3) Respect for city and country - the city is unbelievably clean despite the overpopulation and its residents tend to think Japan is the greatest thing since sliced bread. It's strange to live in a place where people are not dreaming about moving someplace else.
(4) Respect for the system - not only is the quality of service here unparalleled but everyone gives 100% to whatever they do (e.g., the repairman brings his own slippers when he comes to fix something and then asks my permission to clean up the (non-existent) mess he made; the cashiers at the supermarket bow to me as I leave; the phenomenal waiter literally jumped back three feet when we tried to tip him.) Exceptional service with no expectation of a tip? What is really going on?
(5) Respect for the group - I suppose they call this one "consensus building" but it translates into people never saying exactly what they mean. For example, "it will be difficult" really means "no" or, one I heard recently: "this restaurant has great ambiance" translates into "the food is not so good." As a New Yorker, this one actually irritates me but then again, I sort of like it too.
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