Job Discussion Forums

[Ernstern14]

lol, ok I will try to plan more for my illnesses. And in answer to you question Glenski, I do not ditch out on people at the last minute with no consideration for their feelings nor do I make them wait for me, but I'm speaking from experiance within my cultural context. Work and play are most of the times separate in my experience and I considered my co-workers inviting me the day of to go out to drink and eat with them as something less formal. I really wanted to go out with them, but by the end of the day when my fever was worse instead of better I told them I wouldn't be able to make it. This was also the first opportunity to tell them as there was no break in classes that day. I think that I've gotten some good feedback on this and I think it is something that will be overcome and moved passed. Thanks for all the great input everyone.

[dove]

The people at your new job sound like control freaks. My advice is to just kill 'em with kindness. Just do your job the best you can. There are always cultural misunderstandings, but you know what? Japanese people often love when that happens. Why? A bumbling foreigner takes the pressure off of them. The pressure and constraints most Japanese people are under---it ain't pretty. PLEASE do not lose too much of your self just because you want to fit in, to adapt to Japanese norms.... I feel so sorry for the foreigners I have met who try to emulate Japanese honne, gaman, tataemae(sp?).

[Bread]

Yeah, you are expected to join in after-work socialization when invited, ESPECIALLY when you're new. The first time at a new workplace is practically mandatory. But four nights in a row is WAY excessive and not at all normal.

[mhard1]

hey

I am going to admit first that I did not read any of the replies or anything about the details of your behavior that you are receiving complaints about.

That being said...

Basically if you are new, you are going to have to prove yourself. Not only are you rubbing off on them the wrong way, because you do not meet all the expectations that they have, and it takes them time to get to know you; But also, they probably rub off on you the wrong way for the same reasons. It took me about 3 months before I got into the groove and we started to understand eachother. I would venture to say it might be somewhere the same for you.

Be as patient as you possibly can, and just stick it out. They will come around, and so will you, and when you guys gel it will be a lot better.

[Shimokitazawa]

Start looking for another job. You only get one chance to make that first impression and if they don't like you now, they won't ever like you.

It's like living with a roommate you don't like, the only answer is for one of you to move out.

It's not worth the grief - find another job.

[Cool Teacher]

Hang in there chap!

[Imseriouslylost]

My first impression at my JHS wasn't as bad but at the same time I feel like they aren't respecting the fact that I'm experienced. After teaching High School unassisted for several years and a private academy before that, it's a kick in the pride bone for someone to give me 'pointers' about that which I already know and consider obvious (for instance, before my first class: "it's important to project your voice and walk around the aisles when you're not teaching"). This goes both to my JHS and my dispatch company... It's like experience outside Japan is worthless to them.

Aside from that, that's my only gripe really. Everything else is going alright. They do expect you to be psychic here and pick up on manners and social norms without being told. I suggest you read up.

Have you considered buying gifts for your office? I'm Canadian and I bought a Tim Horton's coffee mix and put it buy the coffee machine with a note saying it's free for all... even people who never talked to me before were thanking me. That's not really a normal solution but it worked for me, so you might want to consider it.

[steki47]

[TokyoLiz]

[Apsara]

I agree with TokyoLiz- it's definitely an attempt to show seniority and establish the sempai/kohai (senior/junior) relationship.

When I was teaching group classes in culture centres, more than once I arrived to start a new class and had the person in charge tell me I should start the class by writing my name on the board, in big letters It used to bug the hell out of me at the time, but I realise now that it was an attempt to show me that I was lower in rank than that person. Luckily I didn't have to deal with those people very often, because I imagine it can get quite annoying if it continues for a long time.

[seklarwia]

It's not all bad, the sempai/kohai thing as an ALT at least.

My school has about 20 new teachers this year including two new JTEs. Many of them are quite young (under 30). But even the older ones have come to ask for advice, low down and how I or the other teachers dealt with some of the more challenging students in their classes last year.
Last week, the new JTE for one of the special classes came and asked me pretty much all the same questions I asked last year and it was nice to be able to share my experiences and have them acknowledged; why student A is even in the class when they don't have any serious learning problems; why student B played up really bad despite normally being one of the best students in the class, etc.

[TokyoLiz]

[steki47]

[Insubordination]

[seklarwia]