When in Japan, work as the Japanese

The Japanese language can be a psychologically humbling language - and not for the obvious reason of it being a difficult language to learn. There is a forced humility in the certain words and phrases that one uses.

Case in point, I leave for home each day around 7:30 PM. As I pack up and walk towards the door, I say, "saki ni shitsurei-shimasu" or translated literally, "please excuse my rudeness for leaving before you." Everyone that is still there replies, "o-tsukaresama deshita" or "you were a hard worker." It's not as awkward as it sounds, it's just a cultural norm replaces saying goodbye or goodnight.

But the fact that they don't simply say goodbye and goodnight in and of itself is telling. Japan as a society values working late, which value has been ingrained into millions of workers. It's not just about getting work done, but it's also about 'doing the time.'

And while I'm of the first to get to work, there aren't any accolades that come to those who come early...just those who stay late it seems. Only the last one home avoids having to apologze for leaving before the others.

I tried to work my hours, early in - early out, but when I would leave for the night the cynic in me hears a more sarcastic reply of coworkers who are stuck having to work, and in their minds are saying "o-tsukaresama deshita...NOT!" Because of that vibe that may or may not be there I changed slightly my hours - not working any more or less, but being there later. We'll see how it goes.

Anthon and his Japanese

This post may only really be funny to those who speak some Japanese. Nevertheless, I want to share this story about Anthon, who is learning Japanese at his pre-school. The teacher gives the kids a set of words to work on and they practice talking to their teddy bears, which is kind of a cute visual. It's helping him be more proactive in using his Japanese around town. The other day with Shelley, Anthon approached a mother/daughter two-some and said, "Konnichiwa, guys." Then turning back to Shelley said, "I said Konnichiwa to them."

Anyway, One of the words they've been learning is the word "itadakimasu!" (pronounced ee-ta-da-kee-mahs) or basically what you say right before you eat a meal...it literally means "I humbly partake." It's like saying "bon apetit." The teachers explained how you pronounce the word to the kids by saying, "remember before you eat, you say 'eat'-adakimasu."

On Friday night we were eating dinner and had already said, "itadakimasu" when Anthon grabs his drink and said, "I'm not going to say eat-adakimasu again, I'm going to say drink-adakimasu." It reduced Shelley and I to tears of laughter. The kid continues to surprise me with his grasp of language and unique sense of humor.