Go Native 70 Posted August 17, 2009 Share Posted August 17, 2009 On the whole I don't and I'll explain why. Most Japanese people I have worked with over the years will happily come to work, sit at their desk all day long except for the 12-1pm lunch break and barely say a word to anyone besides the obligatory standard phrases one says at the start and end of the day. Sure if I make an effort and talk to them they will talk back but generally they'd rarely initiate a conversation that is not work related during work hours. This is also the case between the Japanese employees so it's not just because it's scary to come talk to the big round eye. Employers probably love it but for me the personal interactions and relationships that I develop in the workplace are about the only things that keep me sane day after day. Don't get me wrong I have developed some great relationships with Japanese people I work with but almost all of them are becuase I made considerable effort to get to know them not the other way around. The idea that work is just for working is something rather alien to me but seems very normal for the Japanese and as admirable a work ethic it may be it just doesn't make it that much fun to work with them! Link to post Share on other sites
Mantas 3 Posted August 17, 2009 Share Posted August 17, 2009 Maybe they just dont like you GN. Link to post Share on other sites
Go Native 70 Posted August 17, 2009 Author Share Posted August 17, 2009 Well they must not like anyone then Mantas as they all just sit there all day never saying a word to anyone unless it's work related or they are spoken to first.... Drives me nuts! Link to post Share on other sites
HelperElfMissy 42 Posted August 17, 2009 Share Posted August 17, 2009 Would drive me nuts too...Im a talker....can ya tell? Link to post Share on other sites
bobby12 0 Posted August 17, 2009 Share Posted August 17, 2009 I think it is standard in Japan not to chat during work hours. It always shocks me when I visit one of our overseas offices how they are happy to stand around chatting about nothing for 20-30 mins at a time. But then I remember that it is because they understand that life is for living, not for working. Link to post Share on other sites
SKI 15 Posted August 17, 2009 Share Posted August 17, 2009 I think the Japanese all work so hard and don't talk during the day because they want to leave bang on 5pm. Oh, wait..... Link to post Share on other sites
SKI 15 Posted August 17, 2009 Share Posted August 17, 2009 Having said that my Japanese colleagues are fine. I really enjoy working with them. Now that American in the corner, could do without him. Link to post Share on other sites
Tubby Beaver 209 Posted August 17, 2009 Share Posted August 17, 2009 Its just the Japanese way. Totally different to our style, they probably feel the same way if they visit a western style workplace thinking that we are inefficient and wasting time with idle chit chat. lazy gaijin mo-fo's!! Link to post Share on other sites
grungy-gonads 54 Posted August 17, 2009 Share Posted August 17, 2009 Not all people like idle chit chat anyway. I know sometimes I want certain people to stf up. Link to post Share on other sites
HelperElfMissy 42 Posted August 17, 2009 Share Posted August 17, 2009 Originally Posted By: bobby12 ....I remember that it is because they understand that life is for living, not for working. Hallelujah! Although you are being paid to do a job by your employer - so it is important to make sure that you give them thier moneys worth! I know when I interpret I am delivering concise, clear and complete interpretations and have NO hesitation in being paid through my coffee break when I chat happily with clients and coworkers. Link to post Share on other sites
RobBright 35 Posted August 17, 2009 Share Posted August 17, 2009 Originally Posted By: Tubby Beaver Its just the Japanese way. Totally different to our style, they probably feel the same way if they visit a western style workplace thinking that we are inefficient and wasting time with idle chit chat. lazy gaijin mo-fo's!! This. The amount of time wasting in offices in various jobs, which I am also done, is crazy. People walking get coffee, stopping by their mates, having a good chit chat about their weekends, the footy, the kids etc, then watching them saunter off at lunch and home time on the dot, really surprised me. OK there is a time and a place for it, and yes it does help stop you from going insane on occasions, but jeez, no need to have a 10/15 min convo. Link to post Share on other sites
NoFakie 45 Posted August 18, 2009 Share Posted August 18, 2009 In my first job at eikaiwa, most of the male teachers had a good time with the female Japanese members of staff. And the students too in some cases. Both were officially against the rules, but it never really stopped anyone. Link to post Share on other sites
gerard 6 Posted August 18, 2009 Share Posted August 18, 2009 Yeah, at my first job here at an eikaiwa, everybody was good friends. But then my second job was at a junior high school, which sucked. Public school teachers are lame. Link to post Share on other sites
RobBright 35 Posted August 18, 2009 Share Posted August 18, 2009 Originally Posted By: Mr Wiggles In my first job at eikaiwa, most of the male teachers had a good time with the female Japanese members of staff. And the students too in some cases. This needs elaboration or pictures or both to make it worthwhile us reading it. Link to post Share on other sites
grungy-gonads 54 Posted August 18, 2009 Share Posted August 18, 2009 Yes the eikaiwa I worked at had a chess board on hand too. Lots of fun was had by all. (please note: just used for image, not the real characters involved) Link to post Share on other sites
Mantas 3 Posted August 18, 2009 Share Posted August 18, 2009 Looks like a good rollicking lark! Link to post Share on other sites
muikabochi 208 Posted August 18, 2009 Share Posted August 18, 2009 I work with a few different groups of Japanese people - one is deadly quiet and I can't wait to get out of there but the others are fine. Good balance of work and friendliness. Link to post Share on other sites
gerard 6 Posted August 18, 2009 Share Posted August 18, 2009 In fairness, one of the JH schools I worked at was pretty friendly. The principal at that school was great too. Link to post Share on other sites
Tubby Beaver 209 Posted August 18, 2009 Share Posted August 18, 2009 Yep I can definitely agree that the friendliness at Eikaiwa between Foreign guys and local staff and students was definitely high!! I'm still going out with one of my students as we speak (she is the same age as me though...not a schoolgirl!!) been around 7 years now. Starting to get pressured into the M-word from both sets of parents Link to post Share on other sites
thursday 1 Posted August 18, 2009 Share Posted August 18, 2009 dump her. Get a newer model. Link to post Share on other sites
Zer0star 0 Posted August 18, 2009 Share Posted August 18, 2009 i agree with thursday.. she's using you for your english... Link to post Share on other sites
Go Native 70 Posted August 18, 2009 Author Share Posted August 18, 2009 7 years is a long time to be with someone without the M word at least being thought about! I married my wife in less than 3 years after starting to see each other. Link to post Share on other sites
HelperElfMissy 42 Posted August 18, 2009 Share Posted August 18, 2009 slow starters! I was engaged after one year dating, and married 12 months later. We have beaten the odds because we were married at 20 ... and we are still married. This year will be 20 years. Not that I wish broken relationships on anyone, but it is somewhat gratifying that the people who gave us grief over getting married young and making stupid choices have seen thier 'sensible, later in life choices' fall apart while our 'ill thought out and destined to fail marriage' is still going strong. [self satisfied smirk smiley needed] Link to post Share on other sites
indosnm 0 Posted August 18, 2009 Share Posted August 18, 2009 Originally Posted By: Mamabear slow starters! I was engaged after one year dating, and married 12 months later. Interesting MB. I was engaged a year after meeting & married another 3 months after that (@23). Always said if I can last a year with someone that I'd marry them! and 10 years is coming next month! Link to post Share on other sites
thursday 1 Posted August 18, 2009 Share Posted August 18, 2009 And all this when thinking about working with Japanese people. Link to post Share on other sites
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