Job Discussion Forums

[gaijinalways]

Sometimes when we speak with students, we might be surprised by some things that they assume are normal behavior in their countries.

In another thread, a poster mentioned about going without health insurance, stating that the teacher would return back home and use the national health insurance in his native country (when and if required). From what was later stated, it sounded quasi-legal where the poster was working, but since I don't work there, I can't really judge, though it was stated that proof of health insurance was needed to get a work visa there, but I don't know if that is an ongoing requirement where the poster works or not (it is in Japan where I work, and a employee has to be enrolled in the national insurance or a acceptable equivalent).

What was interesting was that the poster said he did it to save money...
so I thought the link to the thread below might be of interest.


http://forums.eslcafe.com/job/viewtopic.php?t=4201

In Japan, I enjoy doing some things that are definitely illegal in the US.

1) Drinking alcohol on the street

In the US, most public areas are covered by open container laws in most states. So technically, drinking beer in the open on your front law could be construed as a violation. In Japan, often parks post no drinking alcohol signs, but most people get around it by drinking out of concealed containers in places where they check. Walking to the station with a beer is a pleasure for me when I'm on vacation and meeting friends, or simply a usual activity for some people prior to going out (cheaper than the bar, even during happy hour).

2) Buying child tickets

This is more typically done by newcomers to Japan to save on train fare, especially before they have landed their first job (employers here typically pay for commutation). It is technically illegal, but certainly non-Japanese can try to argue they couldn't tell the difference between that and an adult ticket. I personally have never done this, but I know people who have time and again.

3) Reading books in the convenience store without planning to buy them.

In the US, this is basically verboten, and you will get forced out if you continue to try and do it. In Japan, it's a national pastime with many people doing it daily while they wait for friends or just because they want to read that book or magazine without paying for it.

4) Using a toilet in a convenience store

In Japan, it's not unusual to use the public toilets or even a toilet that you need to get the key for in a convenience store . In the US, they often won't let you use it or may require you to buy something before letting you use it.

So anything pleasant that you can do now that you couldn't do before back home?

[sistercream]

I like that here it is positively good manners both to slurp your noodles (or "Italy noodles" as spaghetti is called), and belch loudly after a good meal

I also appreciate not needing to check bus or train timetables before setting out as pubic transport here runs so frequently

[gaijinalways]

That's funny, it is also similar here for many types of Japanese noodles, but my parents didn't like when they visited!

[Guy Courchesne]

In many parts of Mexico and in many different places where you would think to form a line (a deli counter, a convenience store, etc) it's often perfectly acceptable to have to shout your way to service or jostle your way to the front. Not true for everywhere as you form lines at the supermarket and other places.

The great Canadian pasttime is to line up for everything, quite politely, making sure to apologize to anyone you might inconvenience by merely being in the line.

[spiral78]

[artemisia]

I was sometimes thunderstruck by the clothing, or rather the lack of, I saw on the main shopping streets in various German cities in the summer. Mind you, I noticed some Germans had similar reactions. When one guy of a mature age (read: old enough to know better) walked down the main street in nothing but a thong, there were a few dropped jaws amongst the shoppers along the way. Not strictly sure if being dressed in next to nothing, while out and about, is legal there.

[Sashadroogie]

It depends what we mean by health insurance. Private health insurance is most certainly not mandatory in every country in the world, nor even in every country in the EU. This is because of a little thing variously called National Health or social insurance - i.e. you are automatically insured when you start any legal work, and part of your salary is deducted. People may opt to be covered by both national insurance and private, if they feel private cover gives better services, but there is no legal compulsion.

To suggest that not having private insurance is 'quasi-legal' simply means that there is not much understanding of how 'socialised medicine' works.

[sheikh radlinrol]

[quote="spiral78"]

[spiral78]

I am ok with clothing-optional beaches. Haven't seen swimming clothes worn on the streets!!

[Teacher in Rome]

[gaijinalways]

Sashadroogie and spiral78, please refer to the thread below for discussion concerning matters of health insurance.

http://forums.eslcafe.com/job/viewtopic.php?t=91755[/url]