Plain Talk
TOKYO NOTICE BOARD OCTOBER 25. 2019Politeness taken to extremes by Jim Mulcahy
https://citrusjapan.co.jp/
Japanese are world renowned for their politeness, a characteristic that people everywhere embrace with open arms. But sometimes Japanese politeness borders on the extreme, as in the following examples.
＊Endless bowing matches and bowing to the phone
Bowing is a great way to express humility and respect. As with sugar and alcohol, though, it’s best enjoyed in small amounts. I’ve seen long bowing matches block subway car exits, cause pileups below escalators, and nearly decapitate businessmen on city streets. Bowing to clients on the other end of phone conversations is also a little extreme. Don’t you agree?
＊Apologizing when someone steps on your shoe
When stepping on someone’s shoes in the west, the last thing you expect is an apology from the victim. But that’s exactly what you get from many polite Japanese. The first time I experienced this in a Tokyo subway train, I found my victim’s apology confusing. Did he purposely put his shoe under mine? Later I realized he was generously diffusing an embarrassing situation. How extremely nice!
＊Apologizing to customers who spill drinks
When you spill a drink all over a restaurant’s table and floor in Japan, the waitress is likely to apologize profusely as though she were the clumsy one, swiftly clean up your mess with a clean white towel, and bring you a complimentary drink full to the brim even when yours was half empty. You may possibly receive the same treatment in other countries − but in Japan waitresses receive no tips!
＊Returning your change
Elsewhere in the world, there may be cashiers who consider forgotten change a lucky break. But most Japanese cashiers would never dream of letting customers escape without their change. If you’re fast and forgetful like me, you may periodically be confronted on the sidewalk by panting, bowing, apologetic Japanese cashiers pressing money into your hand. What an extremely nice country to live in!!!
日本人が礼儀正しい事は世界的によく知られており、どこに行っても心から歓迎される。しかし時として、その礼儀正しさが行き過ぎる場合もある。その例をいくつかあげてみよう。
＊お辞儀合戦と電話へのお辞儀
謙虚さと尊敬を示すにはお辞儀はとてもいい。しかし砂糖やアルコールのように、少しというのが一番効果的だ。僕は地下鉄の改札口での長いお辞儀合戦を見かけた事があるが、それによりエスカレータの下では人だかりができ、都会の通りを闊歩するビジネスマンを無力にしていた。電話の向こうにいるクライアントにお辞儀するのも極端だ。そう思わない。
＊誰かに足を踏まれた場合の謝罪
欧米では誰かの足を踏んだ場合、最終的には、被害者からの謝罪を期待する。しかし礼儀正しい多くの日本人からは、まさに期待通りの謝罪を受ける。初めて東京の地下鉄でこの体験をした時、被害者からの謝罪に面食らった。この被害者は、僕の靴の下にわざと彼の靴を入れたのだろうか。しばらくしてこの困った状況におろおろしている彼に気づいた。なんて理解不能になるほどすばらしいんだろう！
＊飲み物をこぼした客への謝罪
レストランでテーブルや床に飲み物をこぼした場合、ウエイトレスが、まるで自分が気が利かないかのように恐縮して謝罪し、すばやく清潔な白いタオルで掃除し、半分しか残っていなかったとしてなみなみと注がれた飲みものをもう一杯持ってきてくれる。他の国でも同様のサービスは受けることができるかもしれない。しかし日本ではウエイトレスはチップを期待せずするんだ！
＊おつりを渡してくれる
世界の他の国では、客がおつりを忘れたなら、レジの人はラッキーと思うかもしれない。しかし日本ではレジの人は、おつりを忘れた客を逃すなんて夢にも思わない。もし君が、僕のようにせっかちで忘れっぽいなら、定期的に歩道で、ハーハー息を切らしながら、頭を下げ、謝罪しながら日本人のレジの人が追いかけてきて、手におつりを握らせてくれる。生活するのにはなんてすばらしい国なんだろう！！！
Plain Talk
TOKYO NOTICE BOARD OCTOBER 25. 2019BEING SORRY IN JAPAN! by ALMA REYES
The whole world knows that Japanese bow a lot. “Are there different types of bows and meanings for each?” Take a guy who closes his eyes, places his hands together in a prayer-like gesture, and slightly bows (more like nodding) to a teary-eyed girl; or a young lady who bows repeatedly to an older man who likewise, bows continuously and waves his right hand in front of his nose; or, perhaps, a shop owner who bows incessantly to a not-very-happy looking customer who skirts away exasperatedly. These people may be bowing in varied angles—the 15-degree polite bow, 30-degree business courtesy bow, 45-degree highly honorable bow, or the almost 90-degree very apologetic bow. With arms clasped tightly against their thighs and a stiff back, one expresses his utmost gesture of respect or deep regret. To express an apology in Japan, most often, a very deep and prolonged bow is all it takes to indicate the depth of your offense and sincerity.
Hence, they say In Japan, saying “sorry” is conveyed without too many unnecessary and colorful words. No need for highfaluting excuses of your child getting sick, or forgetting your phone at home, or miswriting the client’s name on an invoice. Foreign cultures may need such justifications to fill up the WHY and the WHAT HAPPENED in order to be reciprocated with a corresponding forgiveness; but for Japanese, none of that matters—a miss is a miss. They would rather expect you to say, “Taihen moushiwake arimasen deshita,” (literally, “There is no apology good enough.”), “Go-meiwaku wo kakemashite, moushiwake arimasen,” or “O-tesu wo kakemashite, moushiwake arimasen”—all meaning, “I apologize for causing inconvenience”, and are considered to be the most formal and polite expressions of humbling yourself. For Japanese, humility is a far nobler gesture than self-defense. One single phrase, one single long bow, and the coast is clear—forgiven, perhaps, but not forgotten.
Apologies are also standard etiquette in letter writing or business correspondences. Salutations can start with “O-isogashii tokoro moushiwake arimasen ga..” (I apologize for disturbing you but..) or “Go-busata shite orimasu” (“I neglected contacting you” or “I have kept my silence”), then end with “O-jikan wo torasete itadaki moushiwake arimasen” (I apologize for having taken your time) with always the first person in the act of an anticipated wrongdoing. Telephone conversations are no different with the familiar “Shitsurei desu ga…” (I excuse myself but..”) used when opening a subject. Japanese polite expressions commonly begin with a preconceived apology even if no fault is intended or about to take place! On the other hand, in Japan, no one says “sorry” to express condolences to a bereaved person. The expression used is “Zannen” (That’s unfortunate.)
In the Japanese society there is somehow a subconscious implication of prioritizing a desire for forgiveness over expression of regret when having to explain the reason for your error. Sometimes the litany of excuses camouflages the admittance of a mistake. This may defy all rules of freedom of expression, but in the end, one accepts his imperfection humbly in this truly imperfect world, and a very dignified and highly respectful bow may mean a thousand more than a hundred words.
What’s App With You?
TOKYO NOTICE BOARD OCTOBER 25. 2019Trick or Tracker App:
In the annual race to score the most candy on Halloween night, kids can easily lose their way. App developer Iconosys has updated its family tracking app to include a safety compass that points children in the direction of home. Its Trick or Tracker app links a parent's and child's phone and uses each phone's GPS capabilities to monitor locations. If parents leave the house to visit a neighbor, the compass will point in the direction of the parents' location. Children must have an Android phone, but parents don't need one. They can use their iPhone, BlackBerry or Windows 7 phone. Parents can set a boundary or geo-fence by specifying an acceptable radius around the home on the app's map. If a child wanders out of range, the parent will receive a text message alert. Also, curfews can be enforced through Trick or Tracker. A "latchkey kid" feature sends an alert to the parent's phone when children arrive at the door. On a lighter note, the child's app has a flashlight for illuminating dark pathways or finding that special treat at the bottom of a full pillowcase of loot. Kids can choose from white, glow-stick neon colors or other holiday hues.
Halloween Photo Booth:
Instantly transform yourself into a scary monster this Halloween with this free, easy-to-use app. Take a photo or upload one from your photo library and then begin the transformation process. Photos can be shared with friends via email, Facebook or Twitter. Download the app here.
Tokyo Voice Column
TOKYO NOTICE BOARD OCTOBER 25. 2019Pumpkin pie: One of the signs of Halloween in Tokyo by Olivia
Just a decade or two ago, Halloween wasn’t widely celebrated in Japan. I guess it isn’t very popular in rural Japan as well, although I may be wrong. However, over the 6 years that I’ve been here, things have changed drastically. Children celebrate and go trick-or-treating from the nursery age; magazines give ideas how to make and decorate foods for Halloween; flower shops, supermarkets, bakeries and patisseries, almost every business takes advantage of autumn in general and of Halloween themed goods in particular. Making Jack’O’Lantern and using up the leftover pumpkin is not traditional in Japan, but these days it is becoming more and more popular.
Not that it isn’t customary to celebrate autumn in Japan. Mont-Blancs (chestnut cakes, not pens), Asian pear and Japanese pumpkin, new rice, pacific saury, persimmons, baked sweet potatoes - all of them are signs of the autumn season. Autumn lets you relax and cool down after the hot, almost unbearable summer, and eat lots of delicious seasonal treats.
These days the list of autumn treats almost invariably includes pumpkin. They don’t mention what kind of pumpkin it is because there are many kinds, and actually kabocha is a squash. But you know what? While most pumpkins are tasteless, kabocha is sweeter than the regular one, especially than the canned pumpkin, and pumpkin pie made with it has a much deeper taste. But you can always grab a butternut squash at your local supermarket to go for an extra nutty taste and hints of caramel. If you don’t want to spend time in the kitchen and feel lazy, you can always have teatime with pumpkin pie or tart at most bakeries and cafes in town. Over the last 6 years, the number of places which serve pumpkin pie or pumpkin pie latte has increased in geometric progression. If you are willing to drive, there is always pumpkin pie at Costco in October. The size is huge and the price is more than affordable.
１０年か２０年前、日本ではハロウィンはあまり浸透していなかった。日本の田舎では今でもあまり知られていないと思うが、私が間違っているかもしれない。６年程日本に住んでいるが、景色は劇的に様変わりした。幼児も含め子供達はお菓子をねだりに行く、雑誌にはハロウィンの雰囲気を盛り上げるための飾り付けや食べ物の記事が載る、花屋、小売店、スーパー、パン屋やケーキ屋は秋期商戦、特にハロウィンをテーマにして盛り上げる。ジャック・オー・ランタンを作り、残ったカボチャで料理を作るなんて日本の習慣にはなかったが、今日ではそれが年々当たり前になっている。
日本で秋を祝う習慣がなかったのではない。モンブラン（ペンではなく栗のケーキ）、梨、日本のかぼちゃ、新米、サンマ、柿、焼き芋は、すべて秋の到来を告げる食べ物だ。秋は、厳しい夏の暑さが遠のき涼しくなり、豊かな気分にさせてくれるので、おいしい秋の味覚が楽しめる。
このごろでは、秋の味覚にはカボチャは欠かせない。しかしどの種類のカボチャかは明記されていない。カボチャは多種多様で、実際、日本のかぼちゃは、瓜科の兄弟のスクワッシュだ。なぜかって？ たいていのカボチャには種がない。それに日本のかぼちゃは、一般のカボチャ、特に缶詰のカボチャより甘い。その缶詰のカボチャでパンプキンパイを作ることで味に深みが出る。しかし近くのスーパーでバターナッツ・スクワッシュ（日本のかぼちゃ）は手に入るから、それでほのかにナッツとカラメルの味がするパンプキンパイは焼ける。台所で奮闘したくない人や怠け者なら、パン屋やケーキ屋でパンプキンパイを買って、いつだってティータイムを楽しめことはできる。この６年、日本でパンプキンパイやパンプキンラテを注文できるお店は増えた。家に車があり、コストコに行けるのであれば、１０月はパンプキンパイが買える。サイズは大きいが、値段は手頃だ。
Strange but True
TOKYO NOTICE BOARD OCTOBER 25. 2019A New Alien has Born!
Spending an afternoon with your child and a make-your-own-bath-bomb kit during the school holidays sounds like harmless fun. One mum found out the hard way that it's not always the case after being left facing a sight reminiscent of Shrek's swamp a few hours later. The Australian mum and her daughter stumbled across a unicorn bath bomb kit for around £8, suitable for children eight and over, and decided it would be 'perfect holiday fun'. Returning home, they set about putting together their creation which took an hour. It was a stark warning of things to come. The table was green, the floor was green, her daughter's hands and hair were green. But the hard work was done and her daughter ran a bath and dropped in their homemade addition. Not long after, Kerri received a call of 'mum, come here!' from the bathroom. “Look, mum! I’m an alien!” Not only was her child green, but so too was the bath water, the bath and much of wall! It was as though the Incredible Hulk had laid down in their bath and 'melted'!
Sexy Buzz and Woody?
Re-watching Toy Story reminds us of a simpler time in our lives and we'll always hold a special place in our hearts for Buzz and Woody. With Halloween trends turning from spooky to sexy more and more each year, it seems that not even our childhood heroes are immune from a revealing makeover. One of the online retailer shops has released a line of Toy Story-inspired Halloween outfits , showing our favourite cowboy and space ranger in a very different light. They are careful not to directly link the range to the popular animation series, naming the cowboy outfit 'New Sheriff in Town' - which looks a lot like Woody forgot to wear his trousers. The costumes have proved a big hit as they continue to sell out fast, but not everyone felt the same way, with one simply commenting 'childhood ruined'.
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50 Shades of Yikess
