Many have said that Japan is a collectivist society, and I believe that they are correct in their observations. Trends catch on fast, and they seem to be followed by many (if not everyone) and then die out and are followed by a whole new trend. Unfortunately though, it seems that many people in the west believe this to be a problem. I believe that Japan’s collectivist/group mentality has a lot of positive externalities. As I have discussed in previous posts, Japan is incredibly clean, safe, and full of hard workers (I do believe that all of these are direct results of Japanese group thinking).
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Many People, One Common Background
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
My New Home
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEYqLscEmSb7UsKTrhYHi5k0FNU4SLoFeW6gCDrnozSY9kcgflle00cKSqzU6zUKaOqq1xWwkgxNkCGC3Y-_fhS6gQv_tGmZmEAr262pmcULU-dN3ehvSGdCTyNpsrFA9fYDNBCmZDe7Mp/s320/IMG_0108.jpg)
It really was a bizarre feeling when I was walking around Namba with my friends and I made the realization that I felt more comfortable here, in Japan, around hundred of thousands of people that I cannot fully communicate with, that I look nothing like, that I don’t even have a common cultural background with, than I do in America with everyone else that I should feel close to. This country does feel like home. I don’t think I can leave. I love this country.
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Japanese Politeness
Although I do believe that racism is here, I believe that Japan, by-and-large, treats foreigners incredibly well. I know from personal experience that when I first got here, I had a lot of trouble just ordering food in restaurants. Yet, every time I have trouble communicating what I want to people in restaurants or stores, they never seem to get upset, and they genuinely seem like they want to help. And they almost always try to use the English they know to help me out. I think that’s awesome. I know in America that we have a lot of non-English speaking residents and they are in a tough situation. I used to work retail, and I know on several occasions that non-English speaking people came into my shop and I tried to help. Ashamedly, I know that I got upset, and probably visibly so. But, every time I have had trouble in Japan, they never get upset.
Just last night, I hoped on a train back to my where I am staying in Tokyo. Apparently I had boarded a part of the train that is meant for people who pay extra money for a nicer seat. Unbeknownst to me, I sat down in the nice seat and started listening to music and playing my DS. After a stop or two an employee for the company came up and started speaking to me in Japanese. I understood what she was saying for the most part, but I didn’t understand all of it. Instead of getting upset and just telling me to leave, she explained slowly that you have to have a special ticket to sit in these seats and that she will show me where I should be. She could have easily just gotten upset and pointed to the door. I really appreciated her sincerity and how patient she was with me.
I love this country.
The Country of Convenience
- Buy a SUICA card in the Tokyo area and you can use it on the trains, subways, convenience stores, and some shops. You literally just hold the card over the card reader to get into the stations, or to buy things at stores.
- Cell phones that do everything – internet, camera (good cameras – not like ones in America), you can use to buy tickets on the train and subway or use it in convenience stores (it acts like your SUICA card), dictionary, translating tool, email, and of course making phone calls.
- One time my friends and I were shopping at Yodobashi Camera and we had to use the restroom. When we walked in my friend Jon said that it would be great if they had some place to put or bags, or some hooks… sure enough – they did!
- Anytime you buy something that is usually given as a gift (chocolates, jewelry, toys, etc) they will offer to wrap it for you on the spot for free.
- If you buy jeans anywhere in Japan, even if you buy the cheapest stuff at UNIQLO, they will cut them and size them for you and have them ready in a few days, free of charge.
- When you purchase a drink or a cup of yogurt at a convenience store or grocery store, they provide you with a straw or spoon in the bag, or they tape it on the item you bought. I bought some chicken nugget type things at the convenience store the other night, and they taped on a tooth pick so I could eat them… they think of everything.
- I did my laundry at a coin laundry place several weeks ago. I was able to put start my laundry in the machine and then type in my cell phone information so it would notify me when it was done – again amazing.
- Every price displayed when purchasing something is the price WITH tax included. Again America, get it right.
- Every cell phone company’s cell phones use the same charger (i.e. all AU phones use the same charger, thus if you forgot your cell phone charger and your friend had AU as well – you could use theirs. The same is also true for Softbank, DoCoMo, etc.)
Honestly – the list goes on and on. Japan has thought of everything when it comes to convenience, and what I love most about it all – you DON’T pay extra for it. Almost all services I have encountered have been free, its part of the Japanese service industry that I have discussed before. I love this country.
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Japan 1 - America 0
According to the latest research (conducted by me), Japan is the cleanest country in the world. Pretty much every square inch of this country would make anywhere in America look like a garbage dump. The Japanese are incredibly committed to a clean country, and you can see the results everywhere you look.
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
My First Real Suit
Japan is known for its level of service - it literally permeates every aspect of the society. Just walking into the shop you can feel the difference between here and the U.S. You are immediately greeted when you walk in, and an employee is available to you when you are ready. However, you don`t feel smothered like you do in some stores in America. Next, I sat down with an employee and a friend of mine who could translate for me. He talked me through the process and then began to measure me up. After the measurements, you try on a coat, then pants. Throughout the entire process the stylist is with you and he asks what you like, what you don`t, what you would like to change. As attentive as the stylist was, you would think that I was shopping in an Armani or Polo store. He was incredible and you could tell that he really took his job seriously, which I have found to be true with nearly every Japanese person I have ever met - they complete their jobs/tasks to the best of their ability - its truly humbling and impressive.
The entire process took over two hours. I had to sit down and pick out everything on the suit, down to the color of the stitching and buttons. I also bought a custom made shirt and tie (again, we couldn't find a size that fit me). It was one of the best experiences I have had here, and I highly recommend anyone that comes to Japan to do same. You will not find this level of service and attention to detail outside of Japan, and you don't even have to be upper-class.
Click here to visit the store's website
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Welcome to My Blog
Here is a link to my Picasa Web account with all of my photos from Japan