Hey, so it's that time of year when many fresh graduates in the West are looking for jobs, and some are looking abroad...specifically, towards Japan. For example, recently applicants for the JET program have been notified of their acceptance (or not) into the program, and many others are applying to work at
eikaiwas, or conversation schools (they're kinda like the Sylvan learning centers or Kumon of Japan for English conversation). I'm not some kind of cultural expert or claim to be any kind of pro at interactions in the workplace, but I thought I might share some tips that I've learned as I've been working and living in Japan for the past 9 or so months. So here we go!
Aisatsu (Greetings)
Aisatsu is the Japanese word for greetings and goodbyes, and aisatsu is very important. The way you greet and leave a person or situation makes the biggest impressions and can set the tone for all the interactions to come. Thus, it's really important to greet everyone with a hearty おはようございます (Ohayou gozaimasu) in the morning when you first arrive at work and nice clear お先に失礼します (O saki ni shitsurei shimasu) when you leave the workplace at the end of the day.
In fact, there have been reports of Japanese school employees feeling as if the foreign coworker is standoffish or cold because they don't greet anyone in the mornings or say anything when they leave at the end of the day. (I know...I don't have a citation for this one, but I learned about it through my work orientation and trainings and from talking to Japanese coworkers.) To the Japanese employees, it's rude and the opposite of friendly. Sometimes it may feel like you have to initiate more often than not or that it's really scary to almost yell out Good Morning, but, I promise, your greetings will be returned and greatly appreciated, which will help your coworkers feel more at ease and more willing and excited to welcome you to the workplace.
