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madeira
Joined: 13 Jun 2004
Posts: 182
Location: Oppama
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 Posted: Fri Jun 23, 2006 11:11 am Post subject: |
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Willy is right.
Usually, you'll be at 'nomihodai' parties. You pay the same amount as everyone else there. It doesn't matter if you only have tea.
A lot of parties are also 'tabehodai'. The cheaper ones feature loads of meat dishes. The good thing, for me, was that I could order from the regular menu, and we'd all split the bill equally at the end. (I can't eat meat).
I don't think I've ever paid 'only' or 'exactly' my share. Same goes for karaoke. The 'mike hogs' pay the same as the others. |
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Taffmonster
Joined: 08 Feb 2006
Posts: 35
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| Posted: Fri Jun 23, 2006 11:18 am Post subject: |
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Thanks for all the drinking and food tips JimDunlop2. It's always nice to have some good phrases, especially with my Japanese practice going as slow as it is. Nursing my drink sounds like a good plan, I just ahd images of being bullied into a drunken stupor!
PaulH, I definately won't be running home for the airport. I am really excited but I am also terrified. I look at it like extreme sport or horror movies, the fun is in scaring yourself!  Thanks for th heads up on the threads.
Willy_In_Japan, I already have a maxed credit card but hopefully this graduates loan should go through and I'll just use that, lets just hope theres not too many parties where I am splitting the bill!
On a side note I have to say I love this forum, I don't think I have ever been to such a helpful place!
Cheers peeps! |
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Taffmonster
Joined: 08 Feb 2006
Posts: 35
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| Posted: Fri Jun 23, 2006 11:20 am Post subject: |
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| madeira wrote: |
I don't think I've ever paid 'only' or 'exactly' my share. Same goes for karaoke. The 'mike hogs' pay the same as the others. |
I am guessing it doesnt come to a HUGE amount though? I mean obviously it will cost more than if I was only paying for myself, but I mean it wont take my wages in one night? |
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PAULH
Joined: 28 Jan 2003
Posts: 4672
Location: Western Japan
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| Posted: Fri Jun 23, 2006 11:35 am Post subject: |
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[quote="Taffmonster"]
| madeira wrote: |
| I am guessing it doesnt come to a HUGE amount though? I mean obviously it will cost more than if I was only paying for myself, but I mean it wont take my wages in one night? |
Only if you go to a small snack bar with three pretty hostesses pouring you whiskeys all night. |
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Willy_In_Japan
Joined: 20 Jul 2004
Posts: 329
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| Posted: Fri Jun 23, 2006 12:24 pm Post subject: |
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| I am guessing it doesnt come to a HUGE amount though? I mean obviously it will cost more than if I was only paying for myself, but I mean it wont take my wages in one night? |
I dunno....what do you make in a day? One month is approximately 250,000 yen.......that is around 8,000 yen a day........I TYPICALLY paid 3000 yen at these GEOS parties.
Current enkais at my school are 5000 yen. That is a TYPICAL amount.
You should be safe in the fact that your 'welcome party' will PROBABLY be paid for. as you will be like a guest on the first night. I would simply politely REFUSE to go out to any Japanese bars until after my first pay day. Even at your welcome party, if they want you to kick in, tell them you only have a couple of thousand yen until you get to the bank to do some exchange if they want you to cough up big money. They will probably just say 'forget it'.
That was my biggest pet peeve of working at GEOS. I was forced into these social situations where I had to cough up 3000 yen. I ordered ONE drink the first time expecting to kick in 500 yen, and it didn't work out that way. I didn't know how the system worked and left a bit pissed off that I was fleeced for a couple of thousand yen.
I would start applying like crazy for credit cards if mine was maxed out. Ask family for a loan. DO NOT show up here with less than 100,000 yen. If you are careful, and look around, you should be able to find a litre of milk for 100 yen., and 8 slices of bread for 100 yen. I didn't know where to shop when I got into Japan, and was paying 200 yen for a litre of milk and the same for bread. You will probably be able to 'get by' going to Japanese fast food restaurants where you buy tickets for the meal and give the ticket to the person at the counter and they make your meal.
I have a 99 yen shop near my house where they have frozen foods and fresh foods. I get lettuce for 99 yen and lots of other things. If you are careful, you should be able to squeek by your first month.
If you cannot under any circumstances get the money, I would call GEOS a week before and admit that you are in a bind. They are not in the business of giving loans, and they won't be happy, but they may be able to do something for you. You will have put them in a bad situation, because they can't fire you.....they are expecting you to be the teacher at one of their schools. If you tell them too early, they will simply replace you, and if you tell them too late, they won't be able to do anything for you.
My personal story is that I signed the contract under a very trying financial situation. I took my signed contract into my bank, and showed them that at the time, I would be making scads of money, (the yen was MUCH higher) and that I needed a loan in order to take advantage of this job opportunity. They told me that they had to take my LAST YEARs income into consideration (was virtually nothing) and that the only way I was allowed to use my GEOS job as a proof I was making good money was to show them a pay stub! (Obviously I hadn't started the job yet). They refused to help, and in fact, threatened to revoke my credit, because I was leaving the country!
Luckily, an unsolicited credit card arrived from Sears Canada with a 10,000 dollar limit. Despite being poor, I had a great credit rating, and it couldnt have come at a better time. I had not executed my 'plan b' yet though. So, get applying for new credit and good luck! |
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Taffmonster
Joined: 08 Feb 2006
Posts: 35
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| Posted: Fri Jun 23, 2006 12:45 pm Post subject: |
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woah and to think I was about to wander into the bank shouting "GIVE ME MONEY". I might have to play a little bank scaming, my step dad runs his own business so I may just pretend I am working for him to get the loan and then sod off! It's dodgy I grant you but hell! By the way, do you mind if I ask you which bank it was?
I intend to be a cheap eater, not just for the first month but in general. I think I will stick to my student ways of vegtable stir fry and tined goods! It's healthy, it should hopefully be cheap and its definitely easy!
Credit seems like a plan, I mean even if i sort something else out I don't have to use them but it is a good back up! I'm not sure I'll qualify though being so overdrawn at the moment, but its worth trying. |
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Angelfish
Joined: 18 Jan 2006
Posts: 131
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| Posted: Fri Jun 23, 2006 12:59 pm Post subject: |
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I've been with Geos one month now and you're lucky! You're missing all the campaigns that were going on when I got here. But seriously, don't stress about it. The amount of money you said was about right. I brought �1350 including my flight money. My gift for the school was a box of chocolates from Amsterdam airport, which went down really well. Food is great over here, you'll love your first izakiya(sp?) meal. The Geos welcome party (and leaving party if you're replacing another teacher) is paid for by Geos.
So, where are you being sent to and what size school? |
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Taffmonster
Joined: 08 Feb 2006
Posts: 35
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| Posted: Fri Jun 23, 2006 1:12 pm Post subject: |
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They haven't told me yet, I am hoping its somewhere small and quiet as i heard it's a nicer working enviroment, plus it will be a chance to see the less techno flashy light side of Japan than if i was to be posted in Tokyo. It is irritating not knowing where I am going yet. I think there are only two places I don't really want to go. I don't think my request to GEOS counts for anything but I did ask for Sapporo (sp?).
I have had some good / bad news; My VISA application relies upon my my degree and due to the AUT strikes the earliest they can give me any form of confirmation will be June 30th. I am hoping that it will be enough to delay my departure date from August 16th to a little bit later! Chances are it is not and it does make me nervous. I am getting slightly paranoid that the delay this confirmation is causing will result in GEOS turning round and saying "Forget it!". However, the fact that it is due to AUT strikes means I have no impact on the matter and so they can't hold me accountable, I am tempted to hold on to it when it actually arrives in order delay them further but I have been told by the London office that Tokyo Head Office are hounding them for the confirmation everyday. |
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Angelfish
Joined: 18 Jan 2006
Posts: 131
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| Posted: Fri Jun 23, 2006 2:00 pm Post subject: |
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| What did you think of Tomoko and Diane? |
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24601
Joined: 25 May 2006
Posts: 75
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| Posted: Fri Jun 23, 2006 2:19 pm Post subject: |
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This thread is making me wary to ever go out with "friends" in Japan.
If I invite you, I will pay for your bill, but no way am I going to go out and drink reasonably and pay for the mike/food/drink hogs. No. Nor would I expect them to do so for me. Mortifying. Where is their pride?? |
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Taffmonster
Joined: 08 Feb 2006
Posts: 35
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| Posted: Fri Jun 23, 2006 2:37 pm Post subject: |
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| Angelfish wrote: |
| What did you think of Tomoko and Diane? |
I have only spoken to them via email, when I had my interview it was with Yuki who has now moved back to Japan.
I just received and email from Diane and I get the hint that she maybe thinks I am not really pushing to get my confirmation even though I am. I mean I want it just for my own clarification, I can't settle untill it's in writting! |
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Willy_In_Japan
Joined: 20 Jul 2004
Posts: 329
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| Posted: Fri Jun 23, 2006 3:16 pm Post subject: |
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It was the Royal Bank of Canada.......no need to worry about them in the UK. However, I am guessing you might get a similar reception if you try to get a loan. If your family has a business, yes, I would represent I was employed by them. By all means.
Regarding 'Where is their pride?". It is just the Japanese style. When they order food and drink, they order many many small dishes.....everyone shares it. They don't 'keep track' and they expect everyone to take what they want and then to share the bill. It is just their style. That is the danger in going out with groups.
My 'farewell' party was not paid for by GEOS. I paid my own restaurant bill. My welcome party was covered by my students. |
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Taffmonster
Joined: 08 Feb 2006
Posts: 35
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| Posted: Fri Jun 23, 2006 3:27 pm Post subject: |
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I am not too concerned about splitting the bill equally, I just don't want too many of those occasions, so as not to dig into my budget too much. It seems fair enough to me and theres plenty of oppertunity for you to be the hogger!
I recently read a book about a chap who hitch hikes the length of Japan following the cherry blossom, called "Hokkaido Highway Blues". I'd never heard of such excessive generosity! Free drinks, free rides, free bike hire, free tours. It was an extravaganze of freebies! |
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Angelfish
Joined: 18 Jan 2006
Posts: 131
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| Posted: Fri Jun 23, 2006 3:47 pm Post subject: |
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| Taffmonster wrote: |
| Angelfish wrote: |
| What did you think of Tomoko and Diane? |
I have only spoken to them via email, when I had my interview it was with Yuki who has now moved back to Japan.
I just received and email from Diane and I get the hint that she maybe thinks I am not really pushing to get my confirmation even though I am. I mean I want it just for my own clarification, I can't settle untill it's in writting! |
I found Diane to be a bit abrusque sometimes. Yuki is so cool. Did she tell you she's gonna drop in on you when you get to Japan? I hope you get to Sapporo like you wanted. There's quite a few schools there, so you might get lucky. I'm based in Chitose, 30 mins train ride south of Sapporo, and it's really cool. I've been out with a couple of the Sapporo Geos NET teachers and they're all really nice. Good luck with it all. |
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Taffmonster
Joined: 08 Feb 2006
Posts: 35
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| Posted: Fri Jun 23, 2006 3:59 pm Post subject: |
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Yeah Yuki was lovely. She did say she would drop in when I got to Japan but I didn't think she was serious. I wonder if you were at my interview?
Sapporo doesn't seem so popular but I quite like the look of it. Plus it wont be so humid and I'd rather be cold than hot. |
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