Something to share

[dimitri_can]

I wanted to share something written by one of my friends (his 1st time to Japan and only for 2 days), who i brought along to Japan... Hope it inspires u all to love Japan more like what i do.
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Osaka, Japan 13-15 September 2013

Breath-taking Landscape.

A Rich and Diverse Culture.

An eye opening experience.

These are some of the exciting things I looked forward to upon my visit to Osaka, and it did not disappoint.

The 3 day stay in Osaka really opened my eyes to a lot of things. The hardworking work ethics and professionalism of the Japanese people was a standout. For example, when we were looking around for a tablet in an electronics store in Nipponbashi's Den Den Town, the staff there were so service-oriented and polite, that when we have a query about the warranty coverage and about the Tablet’s specifications, they would run to their colleagues to ask for information, and would rush back to us with all the information we seek promptly, without being pushy with their sales, unlike the staff in other countries like Singapore, where they will take their own sweet time, blatantly saying “I’m not sure”, without even trying to find out more information.

The Japanese staff always have the heart of their customers in mind, and that left a lasting impression with me.

Another aspect of Osaka that blew me away was their transport system. Though complicated, it is an efficient way of commuting in Osaka, and can get you to almost anywhere you wanted to go. The different types of trains allows you get to get to your destination faster, as some trains tend to skip a few stations in order for you to get to the destination faster.

Last but not least, dimitri and T (my student) were great hosts during my visit. Guiding me with basic Japanese terms, bringing me around to taste different Japanese cuisines, and bringing me to the different tourist attractions in and around Osaka and Kyoto, it is something that I cherish and remember for years to come.

 

[cpuer]

Similar experience with the Japanese work culture when I first encountered them in Japan 20+ years ago. The one that impressed me very much is their respect to their job. Taxi drivers that wear white gloves and crisp uniform. Bus driver that drive with such professionalism and pre-warn the passengers when he is about to negotiate sharp turn etc. random acts of kindness from strangers that drove us in her car as she couldn't made us understand the directions.

Brother pen-pal(you guys know what is a pen-pal?) that open up her house to receive 3 Singapore strangers with warm hospitality.

These still stuck in my head after more than 20 years.

 

[butterbarter]

The hardworking work ethics and professionalism of the Japanese people was a standout.

Yes, the Japanese work ethic is amazing. Makes Singaporeans look like a bunch of slackers. You don't have to look any further than their public toilets. The toilet is always clean and the toilet paper holder is always fully loaded. And when there are 2 toilet paper holders, BOTH OF THEM are fully loaded. I was in Kansai for 16 days and every single toilet was like this. These are not 5-star hotel toilets, but just normal toilets in train stations or public parks with high human traffic.

You can see how conscientious they are when even the toilet cleaner takes great pains to ensure the toilet paper is well stocked and the toilets clean.

Contrast this with Singapore where the toilet rolls are usually completely used up and not refilled. The janitor doesn't give a hoot as long as the toilet is in good shape during inspections. After that, he doesn't care.

I was also blown away by how workers will, when about to exit a room, turn around to face the customers, bow, before turning around again to exit through the door. This happens not just in fancy department stores but even in train cabins. The train conductors and food sellers do these unfailingly.

Amazing.

 

[fuzzybear]

Yes, the Japanese work ethic is amazing. Makes Singaporeans look like a bunch of slackers. You don't have to look any further than their public toilets. The toilet is always clean and the toilet paper holder is always fully loaded. And when there are 2 toilet paper holders, BOTH OF THEM are fully loaded. I was in Kansai for 16 days and every single toilet was like this. These are not 5-star hotel toilets, but just normal toilets in train stations or public parks with high human traffic.

You can see how conscientious they are when even the toilet cleaner takes great pains to ensure the toilet paper is well stocked and the toilets clean.

Contrast this with Singapore where the toilet rolls are usually completely used up and not refilled. The janitor doesn't give a hoot as long as the toilet is in good shape during inspections. After that, he doesn't care.

I was also blown away by how workers will, when about to exit a room, turn around to face the customers, bow, before turning around again to exit through the door. This happens not just in fancy department stores but even in train cabins. The train conductors and food sellers do these unfailingly.

Amazing.

agreed too
i felt soo shiok when the staffs bow bow bow iuntil i walk out of the shop
even when i turn back they sitll bow me

jp got a long history
sg got ? hahah
even HK got better service allthought is not as epic good as jp like kept on bow until u felt paiseh haha

 

[purpleberry]

Not sure if you guys noticed but you are given free cold water (or self-service) when you dine or waiting for a take-away order in most food courts and fast food branches. Some are not just tap water but comes with a good water filter too.

 

[fuzzybear]

Not sure if you guys noticed but you are given free cold water (or self-service) when you dine or waiting for a take-away order in most food courts and fast food branches. Some are not just tap water but comes with a good water filter too.

yea I was treated this few times too even I just sit down haven order meal they will immed put a water in front of me haha

 

[Deathskull88]

All these amazing things happen mainly because most of their people are motivated and cultivated to do it. It is nearly impossible to replicate it in other different cultures, pity. Like some nations have people who are mostly courteous and friendly, like the Thais and Vietnamese.

Many in Singapore have bad habits with regards to our public toilets. Unflushed toilets, terrrible 'aiming', littering even though there is a trashbin near the sinks.
And we just leave our used crockery in the hawker centres and food courts for the cleaners to pick up, even when sometimes it's plain to see that they are overwhelmed.
Oh, and the littering on the streets! So much litter everywhere, unlike Japan and Taipei, which are nearly spotless.

If the people in a society do their own part and be civic minded, the toilet staff will have more time to maintain their stations to a higher standard, the food courts will be more clutter-free and the streets will naturally be cleaner. But no. Here, we behave badly and blame others(other citizens, the cleaning company, staff, etc.) for not doing their jobs efficiently enough. Haiz.

Granted, the Japanese are not perfect themselves, but they sure do maintain a high standard in some areas than a lot of other nations.

 

[darkmatt]

yea I was treated this few times too even I just sit down haven order meal they will immed put a water in front of me haha

free flow.. no need to ask also. empty they will help to refill

 

[purpleberry]

As a country, Japan is thousands of years old. Even though they were separated by the shogunates, they still share the same culture and geography. We are only approaching 50 years old ourselves and have not done too badly in terms of cleanliness. Definitely cant be like Japan in a few years but at least we can compare ourselves to our neighbours. With the 'wonderful' humid and hot weather almost all year round, it's bound to raise some temper. Nevertheless, Japan is a country to look up to in terms of courtesy, hospitality and service.

 

[fuzzybear]

As a country, Japan is thousands of years old. Even though they were separated by the shogunates, they still share the same culture and geography. We are only approaching 50 years old ourselves and have not done too badly in terms of cleanliness. Definitely cant be like Japan in a few years but at least we can compare ourselves to our neighbours. With the 'wonderful' humid and hot weather almost all year round, it's bound to raise some temper. Nevertheless, Japan is a country to look up to in terms of courtesy, hospitality and service.

agreed too
ya we SG as a small young city state cant compare to jp lor
which is ages old with a rich history
in th end is up to the culture

looks at others country which is longer history then us but still undeverloped and still not as nice too so we r not too bad too
there is always better or worst outside there

and just only japan stands out as the best there is in human culture
allthought compare to angmo they got good and bad too

 

[swirler]

It's their disciplined mindset

 

[hoshiyume]

Shouldn't have read this! Why isn't nov here already!!!!! I want to be in Japan now!

 

[dimitri_can]

i shared all ur feedback with my friend. He was v shocked to receive all these comments. Thank you all for reading and sharing ur experiences. Cheers

 

[cpuer]

But i find the youngster are friendlier than the older folks. I ever asked an ojisan and kena shoo away by him. But just one case lah.

 

[marc2002]

Definitely love Japan. Given a choice i rather go japan than to Italy/Madrid/London/NY/etc.

Other than the language issue (which i encountered in Kyoto/Hiro), i basically love the place to bits, the air, the atmosphere, the ppl, everything LOL

 

[darkmatt]

Definitely love Japan. Given a choice i rather go japan than to Italy/Madrid/London/NY/etc.

Other than the language issue (which i encountered in Kyoto/Hiro), i basically love the place to bits, the air, the atmosphere, the ppl, everything LOL

japanese girls. lol

 

[purpleberry]

I find Tokyo slightly friendlier than Osaka but that's my opinion. Youngsters and oldsters are generally the same, although I have encountered a few "megaloman stances" when I asked a question but I suppose they are too busy.

One time it took a stranger 20 mins to guide me through a narrow alley in a lookout for an unagi place. He had to ask around other fellas and we felt very paiseh. There are also those who went to additional extent to take your picture, such as lying on the ground to capture the background, take several photos/angles, etc.

 

[purpleberry]

Just found a good vid.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=prNYOW0_kms