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Navigating Aeon's Initial Training Week
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rslrunner

Joined: 12 Feb 2010
Posts: 252

Posted: Sun Jul 10, 2016 3:27 am Post subject:

TokyoLiz wrote:

Quote:

The problem may be with Japanese culture in general. But that's not my problem.

That's right, it's not you problem. In fact, Aeon and its practices are not your problem, either. It ceased to be when you left.

You don't live and work here, or have the experience of negotiating the conditions of people working here. Your posts show you have no regard for those of us who do so, struggling or thriving here under the current conditions.

You are right that the practices of Aeon are not my specific problem.

However, these practices affect everyone who signs up with them.

Should the people who live in Japan be the only people who should discuss Aeon's Initial Training Week?

rslrunner

Joined: 12 Feb 2010
Posts: 252

Posted: Sun Jul 10, 2016 3:52 am Post subject:

HLJHLJ wrote:

There is no brain washing. You are being utterly ridiculous.

You were late for class because you literally couldn't blow your nose without making a drama out of it. You thought it was unreasonable that they should object to you being late.

You were unable to cope with the methodology, which you claim is 'impossible' in the time available, despite thousands of other AEON trainees being able to adapt to it.

You therefore claim that all other AEON teachers are mindless drones because it's the only possible explanation for your failure when virtually everyone else succeeds.

By your own admission, you were unable to suitably grade your language, so you were asked to stick to a script, and you couldn't do that either.

You were told to stop slouching around with your hands in your pockets when you were teaching because it's culturally inappropriate, but you were either unable or unwilling to comply.

You were asked not to clutter your desk with water bottles, etc. Again you were unable or unwilling to comply.

That isn't brain washing, no-one was trying to 'break' you, it's just training.

EDIT: I can't believe I've let myself get dragged back into this train wreck.

Well, HLJHLJ, my advice is to get your facts straight before dragging yourself back into this train wreck.

A while back, HLJHLJ sought to enlighten readers about what I did or didn’t do during training.

I wrote to him and said there were errors in what he wrote, and that if he didn’t respond to me, I would have to address his comments publicly.

He did not respond. So this post addresses what HLJHLJ said.

Responding to this post has been a low priority, as it has been more important to write anti-Trump diatribes, to the extent I have time for writing on the Internet. (Everybody can agree on something.)

If you have no interest in this post, then don’t read it or worry about it. However, I am compelled to correct the record.

HLJHLJ’s original comments are in bold, for the sake of clarity.

There is no brain washing (during initial training). You are being utterly ridiculous.

In my opinion, the whole training week is based on brainwashing.

Please look at how the whole training week is structured at the beginning of thus thread, and my comments in other threads. You are welcome to disagree with my assessment. But it is not ridiculous to question a process that is extraordinarily opaque.

In my view, far from being ridiculous, I am performing a public service by pointing out what initial training entails, for the benefit of outsiders and those who are about to begin training. I make a very clear distinction between my opinion and the facts of the situation.

You were late for class because you literally couldn't blow your nose without making a drama out of it. You thought it was unreasonable that they should object to you being late.

During the orientation, I was very sick. I decided to gut it out. That was a mistake.

When the New York office called a week before my departure, I said through the coughing fit that I would be ready, because I thought I would be better by then.

In retrospect, the better path would have been to state that I was not ready.

During the 10 minute break, I went to the restroom to blow my nose. There were no tissues, only hair dryers. Both bathroom stalls were being used. I did not want for another employee to see me blow my nose without a tissue. I waited until a stall was available. I did my business.

I got back either 20 seconds late or 1 minute and 20 seconds late. My trainer told me to be on time. I was going to tell him that I had to take care of some business, and it wouldn’t happen again. Within a second of opening my moth, I was told, “Thank you!”

The trainer actually apologized for being overly harsh.

I never said that it was OK to be late, then, in any of my posts, or now. Never. I only wanted to explain why I was late, and to assure anyone that it would not happen again. I didn’t even get a chance to say that.

I am displeased that HLJHLJ is putting words in my mouth that I would never utter.

You were unable to cope with the methodology, which you claim is 'impossible' in the time available, despite thousands of other AEON trainees being able to adapt to it.

It is impossible to learn the entire methodology of round-up or group lessons in one day. Yes. Nobody gets all of it in a day.

The key, if you want to succeed, is to get the gist of the formula, and then put on a happy face. If you are not happy, and you are not willing or able to mask your unhappiness, you can’t do well.

I ditched the script in the middle of my first presentation. I just couldn't remember the script that i had obtained the day before.

You therefore claim that all other AEON teachers are mindless drones because it's the only possible explanation for your failure when virtually everyone else succeeds.

For the umpteenth time, I take full responsibility for my failure at initial training. I have taken responsibility for failing to pick up the methodology in time, over and over and over again.

HLJHLJ, you are spreading false information that I have addressed before. So stop it.

I never said that Aeon teachers are mindless drones by nature.

I did say, and will say here again, that any aspiring Aeon teacher will have to play the role of drone or automaton during initial training. That is what Aeon wants.

By your own admission, you were unable to suitably grade your language, so you were asked to stick to a script, and you couldn't do that either.

Grade my language? Perhaps you mean this?:

I was told to start the word “Let’s”. Instead, I said, “Today we are going to…”, and told immediately, “No, you must use let’s!”

It would be beneficial for newbies to know how one’s language would have to be, well, graded.

You were told to stop slouching around with your hands in your pockets when you were teaching because it's culturally inappropriate, but you were either unable or unwilling to comply.

Actually, I put my hands on my hips. You can't do that, or cross your legs, or many other body gestures. Remember, you are not allowed to sit in class either. Ever.

I am sure my facial expression clearly expressed resentment at being told about putting hands on my hips. Grown adults are not told about their body language, and adults who want to patrol the body language of others should make their intentions clear that they are dedicating themselves to this kind of absurdity.

You were asked not to clutter your desk with water bottles, etc. Again you were unable or unwilling to comply.

I left my water bottle on the table once. I was told to put it on the floor. That is what I did.

I did drink from the water bottle. Is that against the rules as well? No teacher or student should be deprived of drinking water in my book.

That isn't brain washing, no-one was trying to 'break' you, it's just training.

Actually, in my view, the whole training enterprise is designed to break people, and then build them up in the image that the company wants.

I don’t say this lightly. I urge everyone to please look at the schedule at the beginning of this thread.

Is there anything in that material that is incorrect? If yes, I will correct it.

kpjf

Joined: 18 Jan 2012
Posts: 385

Posted: Sun Jul 10, 2016 7:05 am Post subject:

Quote:

I waited until a stall was available. I did my business.

Did you blow your nose too?

Quote:

I was going to tell him that I had to take care of some business,

Would you teach your students to use this expression for blowing one's nose?

Quote:

In my view, far from being ridiculous, I am performing a public service by pointing out what initial training entails, for the benefit of outsiders and those who are about to begin training. I make a very clear distinction between my opinion and the facts of the situation.

If you were British The Queen would be giving you an MBE my dear. An MBE for your lifelong dedication to calling out the bad and cult-like practices of AEON.

Quote:

Responding to this post has been a low priority, as it has been more important to write anti-Trump diatribes, to the extent I have time for writing on the Internet. (Everybody can agree on something.)

Maybe you could do a special edition comparing Trump and Aeon?

72308

Joined: 01 Sep 2010
Posts: 38
Location: Tokyo, Japan

Posted: Wed Aug 17, 2016 7:44 pm Post subject: Dude.

I lived in Japan from 2013-2015 (worked for AEON and Gaba, so managed to get through the training week without the DEATH that others seems to have experienced) and have been back home for a year. Came over to the forum out of nostalgia and am highly entertained to see that rslrunner is not only still here, but TALKING ABOUT THE SAME EXPERIENCE. Honestly, it brought me joy. Respect to everyone still trying to talk sense into him - good luck eh?

move

Joined: 30 May 2009
Posts: 132

Posted: Sun Aug 21, 2016 6:03 am Post subject:

rslrunner wrote:

HLJHLJ wrote: