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wolfman
Joined: 18 Jan 2006
Posts: 189
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 Posted: Tue Nov 07, 2006 8:07 pm Post subject: |
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Psychologists theorize that smiling, even when you're not actually happy, can put you in a good mood.
Maybe they are actually happy to serve you, who knows? |
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japan_01
Joined: 04 Mar 2006
Posts: 89
Location: Gifu Ken
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| Posted: Tue Nov 07, 2006 10:58 pm Post subject: |
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| Venti wrote: |
| japan_01 wrote: |
Yes you are right that the Japanese 'seem' to take pride in what they do. Really, they couldn't give a rats razoo. Look at the little girls at Macdonalds that smile from ear to ear and greet you with the happiest greeting possible. Do they really care? For the most part, the answer is a big fat NO. It is ALL an act to conform to societies beliefs. |
I've never deluded myself into thinking that any young person working behind the counter at a Mickey D's, in Japan or anywhere else, wouldn't wish for me to fall in front of a train rather than to have to serve me. If someone hates me for making them do work they feel to be meaningless, I'd rather that person do it with a fake smile than with a look of disgust. If Japanese people are more skilled at doing this than other groups of people, more power to them.
Go to a McDonald's in downtown Chicago and order something. You might as well take a kick in the nuts; you can still leave with that same, awful feeling in the pit of your stomach. If you think that some of the people working in those places are refreshingly honest, you've been in Japan too long, bro. |
Why do you assume that 'little' refers to YOUNG. I never mentioned anything about young maccas people. Take them OUT of the situation. It is ALL ages of both genders. I can handle the odd fake smile... but I can't handle the high pitched tone of voice crap. As for Chicago, I never plan on going there... but if I find myself there I will be sure to visit a Macdonalds. Why do a job if you don't enjoy it? OK... so that want money. Understood. |
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canuck
Joined: 11 May 2003
Posts: 1921
Location: Japan
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| Posted: Tue Nov 07, 2006 11:45 pm Post subject: |
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| japan_01 wrote: |
| From my past experiences, I find the Japanese to be one of the most 'artificial' races living. The 'smiling' face has a TOTALLY DIFFERENT FEELING to the 'heart'. Dont get me wrong, this 'fake' attitude exists in a lot of wester countries however I feel that it is REALLY apparent in the Japanese. |
| japan_01 wrote: |
| Why do a job if you don't enjoy it? OK... so that want money. Understood. |
Is the fake smile included for those working for Gaba and teaching 200 lessons a month?  |
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Sweetsee
Joined: 11 Jun 2004
Posts: 2302
Location: ) is everything
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| Posted: Wed Nov 08, 2006 12:02 am Post subject: |
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How is McDonald's doing it? How do they take everyday people and turn them into Jack-in-the-Boxes? However they do it, I would be lying if I said that I didn't get a rush out of each time I am served there, including the bows and smiles from the drive-through window. It is amazing and far better than the geriatric-ward types in the States.
Enjoy,
s
Last edited by Sweetsee on Wed Nov 08, 2006 2:31 am; edited 1 time in total |
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japan_01
Joined: 04 Mar 2006
Posts: 89
Location: Gifu Ken
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| Posted: Wed Nov 08, 2006 12:35 am Post subject: |
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| canuck wrote: |
| japan_01 wrote: |
| From my past experiences, I find the Japanese to be one of the most 'artificial' races living. The 'smiling' face has a TOTALLY DIFFERENT FEELING to the 'heart'. Dont get me wrong, this 'fake' attitude exists in a lot of wester countries however I feel that it is REALLY apparent in the Japanese. |
| japan_01 wrote: |
| Why do a job if you don't enjoy it? OK... so that want money. Understood. |
Is the fake smile included for those working for Gaba and teaching 200 lessons a month? |
NO, actually CANUCK. I enjoy my job with a real smile... otherwise I wouldn't be doing it. It is plain common sense to me. Or maybe it isn't? Maybe I am missing something? Is it the same for you? |
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Venti
Joined: 19 Oct 2006
Posts: 171
Location: Kanto, Japan
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| Posted: Wed Nov 08, 2006 1:55 am Post subject: |
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| japan_01 wrote: |
From my past experiences, I find the Japanese to be one of the most 'artificial' races living. The 'smiling' face has a TOTALLY DIFFERENT FEELING to the 'heart'. Dont get me wrong, this 'fake' attitude exists in a lot of wester countries however I feel that it is REALLY apparent in the Japanese. |
Jesus! What kind of statement is that? If you make a racist statement, it's hard to take much of what you say seriously. It's not that anyone is truly pure of heart, but it's pretty easy to voice a complaint without indicting an entire race of people. But, hey, if it makes you feel better...
japan_01, a lot of westerners have difficulty understanding why things are done the way they are done here and while much of Japanese culture is easy to understand from a textbook point of view, it can be infinitely difficult to deal with when you approach it with your heart, rather than your mind.
Anyway, good luck in your search for inner peace, my son. |
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Sweetsee
Joined: 11 Jun 2004
Posts: 2302
Location: ) is everything
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| Posted: Wed Nov 08, 2006 2:41 am Post subject: |
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| Blasphemy! |
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gaijinalways
Joined: 29 Nov 2005
Posts: 2279
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| Posted: Wed Nov 08, 2006 4:43 am Post subject: |
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Hmm, I think what japan_01 means is that a lot of things done in Japan are for the 'surface' look only rather than any 'reality'. So in that sense, it would make many actions of the Japanese artificial, and not just at the local McDonalds. As to whether the Japanese practice artificiality more than other cultures, I would be hard pressed to confirm or deny that. Many aspect of societies seem artificial in some respect, especially when we talk about anything related with service, especially in the commerical world.
Of course, the art of being indirect, a form of artificality, is common in Japanese communication. That is why in another thread I stated that 'Shoganai' often more takes on the real meaning of 'I don't want to help you (because it would involve more effort than I wish to extend to you, a person without strong ties to me and my situation)' rather than the often related dictionary meaning of 'It can't be helped'. |
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japan_01
Joined: 04 Mar 2006
Posts: 89
Location: Gifu Ken
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| Posted: Wed Nov 08, 2006 10:11 am Post subject: |
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| Venti wrote: |
| japan_01 wrote: |
From my past experiences, I find the Japanese to be one of the most 'artificial' races living. The 'smiling' face has a TOTALLY DIFFERENT FEELING to the 'heart'. Dont get me wrong, this 'fake' attitude exists in a lot of wester countries however I feel that it is REALLY apparent in the Japanese. |
Jesus! What kind of statement is that? If you make a racist statement, it's hard to take much of what you say seriously. It's not that anyone is truly pure of heart, but it's pretty easy to voice a complaint without indicting an entire race of people. But, hey, if it makes you feel better...
japan_01, a lot of westerners have difficulty understanding why things are done the way they are done here and while much of Japanese culture is easy to understand from a textbook point of view, it can be infinitely difficult to deal with when you approach it with your heart, rather than your mind.
Anyway, good luck in your search for inner peace, my son. |
I would not call it a racist statement. I would call it an educated statement. I have been to 8 different countries around the world and thus far Japan is number 1 on my list. I don't go around from country to country rating the 'artifical' factor but I believe it is common in Japan. I have been in Japan on and off for a total of 4 times from 2002 - 2006. If I were to voice a complaint, I would individualise somebody... that was NEVER the case. I know why things are done the way they are in Japan. Change is a hard thing to accept. I don't take a textbook approach.. I have met/know MANY Japanese people from all islands over Japan. Osaka people are a MAJOR exception to the 'artificial' trend in other Japanese people. They say what they are thinking and don't beat around the bush. I'm not frustrated nor do I frequently get frustrated. It is a pure observation. Many people are too scared to speak their mind.. I'm glad you did. |
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japan_01
Joined: 04 Mar 2006
Posts: 89
Location: Gifu Ken
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| Posted: Wed Nov 08, 2006 10:12 am Post subject: |
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| gaijinalways wrote: |
Hmm, I think what japan_01 means is that a lot of things done in Japan are for the 'surface' look only rather than any 'reality'. So in that sense, it would make many actions of the Japanese artificial, and not just at the local McDonalds. As to whether the Japanese practice artificiality more than other cultures, I would be hard pressed to confirm or deny that. Many aspect of societies seem artificial in some respect, especially when we talk about anything related with service, especially in the commerical world.
Of course, the art of being indirect, a form of artificality, is common in Japanese communication. That is why in another thread I stated that 'Shoganai' often more takes on the real meaning of 'I don't want to help you (because it would involve more effort than I wish to extend to you, a person without strong ties to me and my situation)' rather than the often related dictionary meaning of 'It can't be helped'. |
Yes... this is part of what I'm trying to say. Thanks Gaijinalways |
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6810
Joined: 16 Nov 2003
Posts: 309
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| Posted: Wed Nov 08, 2006 11:39 pm Post subject: |
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| japan_01 wrote: |
From my past experiences, I find the Japanese to be one of the most 'artificial' races living. |
Ha, ha, ha, ha! That's so funny.
Have you noticed how most Japanese people are made out of aluminum, polystyrene and PVC. You can tell by the smell. Your average caucasoid though, tends to be only about 50% artificial, but some of their electronic components aren't yet up to the Japanese standard of "small", hence they tend to be over weight when living in the first world... Other Asians, "Blacks" etc are to various degrees made up of inorganic compounds too.
My question is, at what point do we go from cyborg to android!  |
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canuck
Joined: 11 May 2003
Posts: 1921
Location: Japan
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| Posted: Wed Nov 08, 2006 11:43 pm Post subject: |
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| japan_01 wrote: |
| I find the Japanese to be one of the most 'artificial' races living. |
| japan_01 wrote: |
| I would not call it a racist statement. I would call it an educated statement. |
You have a way with words. Thanks for providing a head shaking moment this morning. |
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Sweetsee
Joined: 11 Jun 2004
Posts: 2302
Location: ) is everything
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| Posted: Thu Nov 09, 2006 7:55 am Post subject: |
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japan_01
Joined: 04 Mar 2006
Posts: 89
Location: Gifu Ken
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| Posted: Thu Nov 09, 2006 9:00 am Post subject: |
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| canuck wrote: |
| japan_01 wrote: |
| I find the Japanese to be one of the most 'artificial' races living. |
| japan_01 wrote: |
| I would not call it a racist statement. I would call it an educated statement. |
You have a way with words. Thanks for providing a head shaking moment this morning. |
I'm glad I could provide you with a head shaking moment. Anytime. |
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6810
Joined: 16 Nov 2003
Posts: 309
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| Posted: Thu Nov 09, 2006 9:50 am Post subject: |
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| Get y'r replies in quickly, looks like a candidate for a locked/deleted thread made to order! |
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