Originally Posted by Nyororin (Post 494039)

I want to offer my opinion to the opposite of this.
They don`t necessarily do a "better" job. Unless we`re talking about the driven innovators, they are often so tied down in office politics that it`s difficult to even get the most basic things done.
Even if someone above you doesn`t really have any part in the decision you are making, and even if they are in a different department... You still have to show respect by waiting for their opinion. I can`t even begin to count how many times my husband has spent half his workday (or more) doing "maintenance" type work while waiting for someone, somewhere, to call him so that there is no break in the respect.
It`s definitely not efficient, but when you`re going to likely spend the rest of your life working around these people - it`s important. You can`t just up and quit, head over to another office and be hired.

Originally Posted by MMM (Post 494045)

Absolutely right, and I wonder where those that don't think Americans are good or efficient workers base that opinion on...especially those that have never been a part of the American workforce.

Originally Posted by MMM (Post 494033)

For example, at a conference you would never ever hear a Japanese person complain about his boss, for example, or his salary to someone from another company. An American wouldn't think twice about doing that. It's not right or wrong, just different.
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Originally Posted by EveV (Post 494049)

It's not that.
I was discussing minimum wage jobs.
I've been part of the American workforce since I was 13
And what I've seen is that Americans, or foreigners with American jobs, when their paid low wage they tend to let alot of things slip in the cracks.

While Japanese do not.
You can tell this by even looking at how clean Japanese buildings are vs American buildings.
And of course this doesn't apply to all of those two categories.

Originally Posted by EveV (Post 494049)

It's not that.
I was discussing minimum wage jobs.
I've been part of the American workforce since I was 13
And what I've seen is that Americans, or foreigners with American jobs, when their paid low wage they tend to let alot of things slip in the cracks.

While Japanese do not.
You can tell this by even looking at how clean Japanese buildings are vs American buildings.
And of course this doesn't apply to all of those two categories.

Originally Posted by MMM (Post 494033)

Traditionally, Japanese worked for one company their whole lives, and in return, one is completely dedicated to that company. That isn't as true today as it was 20 years ago, though I would say that Japanese, as a rule, are more respectful and dedicated to their companies than Americans are, but there is a cultural vein to that.

Originally Posted by MMM (Post 494081)

I think you are right that in minimum wage jobs in the service industry you probably see a better attitude from workers in Japan rather than in the US.

The reason is that Japanese feel like they are a part of a team, even if they work at a fast-food restaurant or at a gas station. Americans don't feel that sense of "teamwork" at that level of job. This us a cultural trait that goes very deep in Japan.

Originally Posted by Gorotsuki (Post 495831)

So in Japan you would never ask for a raise?