Culture Vulture

One of the greatest aspects to living in a culture like Japan – where there are so many big differences, so many subtle differences, things that are unexpectedly similar, and so many things that I`m sure I will NEVER understand completely, is that I feel every day I am understanding more about the Japanese people and the complexities of this culture on an increasingly deep level.

I`m sure this is inevitable, as the result of simply just living in another country but I still find it amazing to feel it happen. Of course, this understanding is helped wildly much by talking to my J.T.Es openly about what I find weird - (having JTEs with whom I can chat so openly WITH, massively helps too!), talking to my Japanese friends and also other international people who have lived here longer than me.

I really knew nothing when I came here. Only the tourist stereotypes of this country. And the tourists know NOTHING.

The sense of building community, the group spirit, the team spirit is HUGELY important here. I had read about this aspect of asian culture before I came – the needs of the group being more important that those of the individual. But, of course you never truly understand something like this unless you live and work in that culture. Why do the Japanese work such ridiculous hours? It is to be part of the group. Spending such a long time with your work collegues inevitably means that you bond with them. And that`s a good thing – to be working together for the good of your company/ organization. The sense of good community in Taga`s staffroom is certainly something that I feel. When everybody stays late after their contracted hours to do so, the atmosphere is friendly and relaxed in this room. When everybody is aware that everybody else stays to help, it is a significant thing. It is a very significant thing to know that you and your work collegues together are making an effort by staying late to make your cause/ your company better. And I can understand that. (Though not to such an extent that I am willing to do it myself!! And perhaps that`s the most significant point here, me with my individualist western ways…).
People need time to bond – and this does happen as a result of this work practice. I`ll be very interested to know what it is like to work in an English workplace when I return to England.

Is that bond really worth what they sacrifice? though is of course, the important question.