Job Discussion Forums

gonzarelli · Posted: Wed Oct 17, 2007 4:43 am Post subject:

Ok, having given it some thought, I must admit that I did notice some rude behaviour in Japan.

The most annoying one for me was when a server in a restaurant would ask my GF what I wanted. Another time, I walked into a restaurant first and the server actually walked around me and proceeded to ask my GF how many were in our party. I was furious.

I found the staring to be a bit rude too.

However, I'm finding my fellow Canookians to be a whole lot ruder than my peeps in Japan.

gonzarelli · Posted: Tue Dec 18, 2007 10:47 pm Post subject:

Ok, perhaps this is the last time I bring up this good old thread.

I landed a pretty decent job today after 5 months of looking and getting all stressed out. I've been working ever since leaving Japan in July but it wasn't very rewarding.

There were times especially lately that I felt like packing up and moving back. Really close to doing that at times.

My advice is to go back after upgrading your skill set by taking distance education or whatever. I wasn't fully prepared for what I experienced. I just happened to be at the right place at the right time. Cliche I know.

Good luck peeps!

Khyron · Joined: 10 Mar 2006 Posts: 291 Location: Tokyo Metro City

gonzarelli · Posted: Wed Dec 19, 2007 4:03 am Post subject:

gaijinalways · Joined: 29 Nov 2005 Posts: 2279

I thought an encounter at an English bookstore today was interesting. The woman asked me in Japanese if I wanted a bag, I nodded my head yes. She then assumed I didn't understand the question, and asked me in broken English. I'm a regular customer at this place as it's near my closest station, so the woman knows I speak/understand some Japanese....

But it didn't upset me, just wonder how do Japanese people nod their heads?

markle · Joined: 17 Jan 2003 Posts: 1316 Location: Out of Japan

ironopolis · Joined: 01 Apr 2004 Posts: 379

gaijinalways · Joined: 29 Nov 2005 Posts: 2279

I've had different experiences here. My wife is Japanese, and she certainly nods her head also. Whether it is more common to also vocalize something as well, yes, that is more common in Japan, but I have seen people sullenly nod at the convenience store, where many Japanese never speak.

As to the 'always' part, has anyone mistaken you for a Japanese yet? I didn't think so Cool

.

gaijinalways · Joined: 29 Nov 2005 Posts: 2279

gonzarelli · Posted: Sat Dec 22, 2007 1:50 pm Post subject:

One time I was talking to a Japanese girl and I mentioned that she is the gaijin whenever she isn't in Japan. The look on her face reminded me of someone getting smacked in the face with a trout.

markle · Joined: 17 Jan 2003 Posts: 1316 Location: Out of Japan

Well I recognise that most Japanese see me as a 'gaijin' and I may always be seen in such a way. I do however choose not to see myself as a 'gaijin'

gonzarelli · Posted: Sat Dec 22, 2007 5:13 pm Post subject:

Most Japanese see you as a gaijin? Confused

I would say all Japanese see you as a gaijin.

You really consider yourself to be Japanese? Face it, in Japan you are either Japanese or you are a gaijin. If you're not Japanese then you are a gaijin.

Willy_In_Japan · Joined: 20 Jul 2004 Posts: 329

I just got back from Canada,.....Hamilton, Ontario to be exact, and I had a bit of reverse culture shock in the area of customer service.

I forgot how absolutely rude the staff are at most stores.

They think nothing of 'shooting-the-breezet' while people are lined up at ONE open cash register. Ive never had to wait 10 mins to pay for something in Japan. In a dollar store, there were 10 people lined up at ONE register, while two employees are just talking standing AT their registers with closed signs.

I was in a Walmart, and there was a girl who was plodding around in a box full of stock....moving at a snail's pace, and a big line up of customers waiting to pay for merchandise being served by one staff member. I say to her....'there is a video game behind the glass that has no price,......could you tell me how much it is?".....her reply was 'ask him' pointing to the guy working the cash and dealing with about 6 customers..........I don't know why people put up with such a thing....I really should have complained to the manager.

In a Zellers, I was stocking up on contact lens fluid, and had about 10 boxes (I wear hard contacts) in my hand and a woman sneers at me 'are you going to buy ALL of those?'......I replied 'Of course, why would I have them in my hand if I wasn't'?

Canadians are indeed friendly compared to many countries, but they really should improve in customer service. I have a theory that it is the low wages these people are paid that affect their performance, but it really annoyed me.

I mentioned it to some Australian first time visitors to Canada, and they noticed the same things. They loved the country but thought the retail staff were horrible.

gaijinalways · Joined: 29 Nov 2005 Posts: 2279

I have had some slow staff here, with staff doing menial stocking instead of grabbing another registar to work at. In Canada I haven't noticed worse or better service than anywhere else, but this was in Quebec Province.