Job Discussion Forums

[crespo]

Hello, I'm currently teaching in Taiwan and am considering making a move to Japan.
I have done a search to find some information about the differences in teaching, but I'm still interested in the non-teaching aspects of life. I've grown accustomed to the casual life here in Taiwan and I'm a little concerned about the formalities in Japan (i've never been to Japan...simply from what i've read).
I'd like to ask those of you who have taught in Taiwan (or even if you haven't), is it a big cultural adjustment? I really like being able to go to work in a t-shirt and maybe even being late without it being a huge faux pas. I love zipping around town in a motorcycle, zig-zagging all over the road so as not to get into an accident and then stopping for a cheap milk tea. I'm not really at risk of offending anyone too much when I eat or when I speak Chinese to someone I'm not too afraid of offending them by saying something wrong. Are these fears (well, nascent fears) that I have of Japan at all grounded or am I just being overly paranoid (and perhaps still doubting whether i should be moving at all)?

Thank you...

[PAULH]

[PAULH]

It is impolite to eat or drink something while walking down the street.

Do not bite or clean your fingernails, gnaw on pencils, or lick your fingers in front of others.

In restaurants or when visiting it's customary to get a small, moist rolled-up towel (cold in summer, hot in winter) called an "oshibori" to wipe their hands with. It's impolite to wipe the face and neck with it though some do in less formal places.
In Japan it is impolite to pour your own drink when eating with others--you pour your companion's drink and your companion pours yours.

If you don't want any more to drink, leave your glass full.
It's customary to say "Itadakimasu" before eating and "Gochisosama deshita" after eating, especially if you're being treated, as well as "Kanpai" for "Cheers".
When sharing a dish, put what you take on your own plate before eating it.
Do not make excessive special requests in the preparation of your
food, nor wolf it down.

Do not use your chopsticks to skewer food, move dishes around, and
NEVER dish out food to another using the same ends you just ate
from--use the top ends.
Don't use your chopsticks to point at somebody.
Don't leave your chopsticks standing up out of your food.
It is normal in Japan to pick up your rice or miso soup bowl and hold it under your chin to keep stuff from falling.
Traditional Japanese food is served on several small plates, and it's normal to alternate between dishes instead of fully eating one dish after another.
Don't leave a mess on your plate--fold your napkins neatly.
Don't take wads of napkins, sugar packs, or steal "souvinirs" when you leave a restaurant.

Do not put soy sauce on your rice--it isn't meant for that.
Do not put sugar or cream in Japanese tea.
There is no real custom like "help yourself". Wait until the host offers something.
If you act as host, you should anticipate your guest's needs (cream/sugar, napkins, etc.).
If you must use a toothpick, at least cover your mouth with your other hand.

Be aware that in Japan it is normal to make slurping sounds when you're eating noodles.
In Japan, it's good (in commercials, anyway) to make loud gulping noises when drinking. Expect to hear lots of it in ads.
It is normal to pay a restaurant or bar bill at the register instead of giving money to the waiter/waitress. There is no tipping in Japan.
It's considered rude to count your change after paying the bill in a store or restaurant, but the Japanese themselves do give it a cursory lookover.





Everyday Living--





Thou shalt NOT BE LATE for appointments.
There is no custom of "Ladies First".
Avoid excessive physical and eye contact--forget the back-slapping,
prodding, and pointing directly at someone with your finger (use
your hand to point, if you must).

Japanese often use silence for communication as much as speaking.
Do not chew gum when working or in other formal situations.

When Japanese start work at 9 AM, they START WORK at 9 AM.
Avoid lots of jewelry or very colorful clothes when going to work.
White-collar Japanese typically leave the office only after their superiors have done so. Do not expect someone to be instantly free once the official business hours are over.
Exchanging business cards is de rigueur in formal introductions. You should extend your card to the other person with both hands, right side up to them (upside down to you). You receive cards with both hands also. Be sure to look at the card and not just pocket it. Never put it in your pants pocket and sit on it in front of them.
It is polite to put "-san" after anothers name, or "-chan" after a young girls name, or "-kun" after a boy's name, but NEVER use these after your own.
Do not scream about why nobody speaks English, why there aren't
5 different varieties of a product you want, or why workplaces or
restaurants are filled with chain-smokers. The "health thing" is
not big here yet.

Avoid shouting loudly at someone to get their attention--wave, or go up to them.

If you have to blow your nose, leave the room, or at the very least try to face away
from other people--and use a tissue--not a handkerchief!

Don't wear tattered clothes outside, nor socks with holes when visiting someone.

On escalators, stay on the left side if you plan to just stand and not climb them.
Japan has no tradition of making sarcastic remarks to make a point,
nor "Bronx cheers" or "the Finger" -- avoid using them.

The Japanese gesture of "Who, me?" is pointing at their nose, not their chest.
The Japanese gesture for "Come here" is to put your hand palm out, fingers up, and raise and lower your fingers a few times. The western gesture of palm-up, closing your hand is only used to call animals to you.
The Japanese gesture for no is fanning your hand sideways a few times in front of your face.
Japanese residences have thin walls and poor insulation - don't blast your stereo or television.
Don't wear your slippers into a tatami (straw) mat room.

It's customary to sit on the floor in a tatami room (called "washitsu").
Don't wear your slippers into the genkan (at the entrance to a home, where the shoes are kept), nor outside.
Don't wear the toilet room slippers outside the toilet room.

It's better to wear shoes slipped on easily when visiting someone.
Japanese wear kimono or yukata (light summer kimono) with the left side over the right. The reverse is only for the dead at funerals.
It's polite to initially refuse someone's offer of help. Japanese may also initially refuse your offer even if they really want it. Traditionally an offer is made 3 times. It may be better to state you'll carry their bag, call a taxi, etc., instead of pushing them to be polite and refuse.
When they laugh Japanese women often cover their mouths with their hand. This comes from an old Buddhist notion that showing bone is unclean, as well as a horrendous lack of orthodontics in Japan. If you're a woman you have no obligation to copy this, but you will soon notice how frequently Japanese do this.
It's polite to bring some food (gift-wrapped in more formal situations) or drinks when you visit someone.
Gift giving is very important in Japan, but extravagant gifts require an equal or slightly higher extravagant gift in return. Avoid giving pricey gifts.
Giving cash is normal for ceremonies like weddings and funerals; but given in special envelopes with a printed or real red tie around it (available in stationary and convenience stores). Use new and not old bills.
After coming back from a vacation it is normal to bring a small gift for all those you work with, even if you don't really like them a lot. Nothing expensive is required, however.
It's polite to belittle the value of your gift or food when you offer it, even if it's blatantly untrue.
In more formal circumstances it's impolite to unwrap a gift someone brings you as soon as you receive it. In casual surroundings it's normal to ask the giver if it can be opened now.
It's polite to see a guest to the door (or the front of a building even) when they leave.
When someone visits it's polite to turn their shoes around and put them together so they can put them on easily.
This is older custom, but in a home the guest is seated facing the room entrance. The highest ranking host sits across from the guest.
Again old, but in a car the highest ranking person sits behind the driver. The lowest rides shotgun.
For taxis the driver will open/close the rear left hand door for you.
Japanese often compliment eachother to promote good will, but it is polite to deny how well you speak Japanese, how nice you look, etc.
In Japan the whole family uses the same bath water -- as a guest you will probably be given the priviledge of using the bath water first. Do NOT drain the water out after you have finished your bath!

�1997-2004 The Japan FAQ:Know Before You Go, All Rights Reserved.

[Lister100]

Hi Crespo,

I am just curious as to why you're planning on moving to Japan when it sounds like you are enjoying yourself in Taiwan?

From what it sounds like Taiwan is a pretty cool place. Are you just tired and need a change or are there particular annoyances in Taiwan that you want to get away from?

I was considering Taiwan as an alternative to Japan that is why I am asking.

[chi-chi-]

I once met a guy in Taiwan who was from Boston and he prefered Taiwan to Japan.
At the time, I wondered why. Now I know. After working in all three countries, I would say that the Taiwanese and Chinese people are much more live and let live, and not bound by custom, and are more free to express themselves. They really get a kick out of things if you butcher their language. And they love to laugh...gotta love laughter. Well, at least I do.
The main problem for me was transportation and pollution, but I was in Kaohsiung. If I ever won the lottery, I would go to Taipei and drink nasty Taiwan beer every night. As far as the visa problems, I would bribe them. It is pretty easy to understand how they think, the Taiwanese are pretty straightforward. Their food is hella good, too.
In Japan you will have a formal tea ceremony, in Taiwan they will have these huge big dinners with like 20-30 people, you can wear whatever you want, and they won't force you to drink like the Koreans do.
I once worked with a Chinese in Korea and she found them to be "uptight." She would have hated Japan.
So well, Japan has some good living conditions. Korea has good money. But Taiwan seemed to have cool people. I hit it off more with them even though their English wasn't so good. I saw more amazing cool funny shit there in just 3 months then I saw in 18 months in Korea and Japan. Just go to Taipei and go with money so you can have your pick of jobs. You can work part-time there and still get a visa if you are an American. Very live and let-live, very straight-forward.
Random facts about Taiwan:
They prefer bands like the Clash compared to Britney Spears or Alicia Keys.
They actually have a blend of cultures.
They will laugh at you if you bow to them.
They do believe in grease.
The teenage boys will pick on you and make fun of you when you teach, and vice versa. They can get kind smart-ass on occasion (same in Korea).
Life there is never boring.
The expats tend to be younger.
If you are nice to the street guys, they will give you noodles and a coke for nothing.
Money is the main problem and they will try to make money off of you.
The car guys will whistle at you if you're female, say mi how to you if you're a guy.
They dress much more casual. They seem to understand that teachers are different than lawyers and bankers.
You will see some funny things there, from billboards to ox-carts.
They are like the rednecks in Asia. They seem to enjoy Nascar, Beetle (look it up) and yes, going fishing (albeit in cement ponds.)
Here is a good thread:http://www.eslcafe.com/forums/job/viewtopic.php?t=19613
Ok I am missing my Asian redneck friends. I will have to end this post now.
Well that is my two cents after the edit.
Chi-Chi

[Mike L.]

[crespo]

[Sweetsee]

What kind of money do teachers make in Taiwan?

[chi-chi-]

The money sucks, that is the reason why I left.
Stay in Korea and Japan for the money.
The best things in life are never free!

Here are some pictures I found on the internet
http://www.dream2us.com/photos_2000/20000716_at_taiwan_for_alice_birthday__img0032.jpg
http://pages.stern.nyu.edu/~syc233/taiwan2/images/taiwan%20059.jpg
http://www.twblog.net/migrants/archives/img/921125-Taiwan%20Crackdown%20copy.jpg
http://re2.mm-b.yimg.com/image/613610855

P.S. The language schools are hell, but I had one of the best jobs on the island. It is pretty easy to make contacts there without knowing the language.
If you have contacts you can get good jobs...avoid the language schools. (buxibans)

[crespo]

I don't think the money sucks, at all. An average hourly wage is 600NT an hour, which is about 2000 Yen...but remember the cost of living here is pretty low, especially outside of Taipei. You're typically not required to hang around all day either. You work your hours and then scoot. If you sniff around a bit, you can find things for 700 without too much difficulty. Privates can be upwards of 1000, but I've never seen any of that. First year taxes are about 13%, but if you file your taxes, you get about half of that back....from then on it's 6%.

Actually, I have a question about the Japanese hours that I continually see posted. i've seen things like 250,000 per month, 40 hours/week, 25 teaching hours. What exactly does that mean? what are you doing for those other 15 non-teaching hours.

[/quote]

[crespo]

[chi-chi-]

[Sweetsee]

Hi Crespo,

I worked for a dispatch company in Japan that made you come into the office to produce material to make up the difference between your teaching hours and your 40 weekly hours.

Enjoy,
s