The Japanese Working Culture

[mrnicekid]

Originally Posted by StangGuy

And because this is the first company you will work for, it doesn't matter what their culture is, you will consider it normal. It is that way for me where I work.

that's a brilliant advice! thank you!

i guess i worry too much.

i think i should just stop worrying about people talking bad about a working culture that they've never been in, and go back to focusing on what is in front of me.

as long as i don't have to teach english...

[ThirdSight]

Originally Posted by MMM

http://www.japanforum.com/forum/gene...rs-rights.html

Nyororin is the expert. She lives in Japan and has a family there.

AlphaDuck is not. He doesn't speak Japanese and has never been to Japan.

This should help.

The most simple funny, and truthful post I've seen in a while?

I'll submit yes.

[Nyororin]

Originally Posted by mrnicekid

does he come home late every night? i do hear a system of compulsory overtime, but that can't be too hard... i hope...

I would say that depends upon the company - but as I wrote somewhere... Younger workers don`t want to live at work, so a large number of companies are eliminating compulsory overtime. It has been found that companies can actually make more money by not counting on this, because when they draw up the schedule - a day really only is 8 hours instead of 100% of the day. This means that when things are busy they can add time on in the form of overtime.

My husband comes home anywhere between 20 minutes after work is done to in the middle of the night depending upon how busy they are. It comes in waves of sorts. One week/month will be busy with him coming home around 12 most nights - the next will be slow and he`ll come home around 6:30 (regular hours are 9 to 6).

I`d say that most of the time it`s between the two with him getting home around 9 or so. But all his overtime is paid generously, and during light working periods he can take days off without any problem. It`s fairly common for him to work a bunch then take a few days off.

nagoya is just perfect for me. still a big city but not too crowded for me

Nagoya is a wonderful place. I wouldn`t live elsewhere.

[taro]

It depends. Some companies that are in financial stress, ask a lot to employees. New entrants will be given a lot of work even after official working hours. You should be prepared for it. Of course this depends on your supervisor. If you have a good one, he or she (mostly he) will try to take your workload a bit. But sometimes that is to be compensated going to a (or some time several in a night) drinking place (nomikai). Whatever it is, take this as an opportunity to know a new office culture. It will help you later on.

[mrnicekid]

Originally Posted by Nyororin

I`d say that most of the time it`s between the two with him getting home around 9 or so. But all his overtime is paid generously, and during light working periods he can take days off without any problem. It`s fairly common for him to work a bunch then take a few days off.

Nagoya is a wonderful place. I wouldn`t live elsewhere.

i guess that's the normal thing for any engineer working in any company. anyways, does working as an engineer, also falls into the category of 'salaryman' ?

i've been to nagoya only once, and its such a nice place!

Originally Posted by taro

But sometimes that is to be compensated going to a (or some time several in a night) drinking place (nomikai). Whatever it is, take this as an opportunity to know a new office culture. It will help you later on.

although i don't smoke and drink, i'm already used to nomikai and frequently visited several izakayas with my japanese classmates and lab partners; they drink beer, i drink fruit juice. they say that they don't mind me not drinking with them... but i'm just curious. deep down inside, is it considered 'rude' to not join them drink? i don't have a drinking culture, so i don't really know.

[MMM]

Many Japanese don't drink, and it is not considered rude not to imbibe. But, unless you have an outgoing personality, you might not be invited to everything.

[mrnicekid]

Originally Posted by MMM

Many Japanese don't drink, and it is not considered rude not to imbibe. But, unless you have an outgoing personality, you might not be invited to everything.

well that is weird because from my experience, it is actually hard to find a japanese (young males) that don't drink. all of my classmates from my previous high school (高等専門学校), drink beer like water. whenever there is a party, everyone drinks and i have to remind them everytime that i don't drink when they offer to pour beer into my empty glass.

i have been living in japan for more than 5 years now, so i have got used to this culture, and having to say it everytime.

「酒が飲めない人は付き合いが難しい」ってどう思いま すか？

[Nyororin]

My husband also doesn`t drink - or rather, at least not while out. He will have an occasional drink at home - but hates beer with a passion.

As long as it`s clear from the start, it`s never a problem. His co workers know he doesn`t drink much, but out of politeness he will accept one beer and take a sip after the 乾杯... And then order something else.

No one seems to think anything of it.

[mrnicekid]

Originally Posted by Nyororin

My husband also doesn`t drink - or rather, at least not while out. He will have an occasional drink at home - but hates beer with a passion.

As long as it`s clear from the start, it`s never a problem. His co workers know he doesn`t drink much, but out of politeness he will accept one beer and take a sip after the 乾杯... And then order something else.

No one seems to think anything of it.

i'm glad to hear that.

it is really not a big deal when i'm with friends that knew that i don't drink; but when it is with the older guys, i felt a little uncomfortable when they started to ask why.

「何で飲まないの？おいしいのにね。。。」みたいな事 はよく言われます。

[Nyororin]

Originally Posted by mrnicekid

「何で飲まないの？おいしいのにね。。。」みたいな事 はよく言われます。

なんて言えばいいのか分からないのでは?　
「あ、そっか」だけじゃ冷たいしね