Tips for Joining the Japanese Workplace (School Edition)

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.

Body Language

Body language is important anywhere, and how you hold yourself and interact with others can really help to ease any tensions, shyness, etc.  For example, most people are aware that bowing is very important (and also a greeting and goodbye) in Japan.  When you first enter the office or pass by a coworker in the hall, it's pretty normal to bow when you greet others.  It doesn't have to be a super deep bow.  Even a slight bending with a nod of the head is usually sufficient.

Aside from bowing, straight up pointing with a finger can be interpreted as rude or too forward, so from what I've observed, it's usually better to gesture with an open palm rather than a pointed finger.  Pointing with the index finger usually happens when you refer to yourself, and actually, in that instance, I've seen many Japanese people point to their nose or touch their nose with their index finger.  It might feel weird at first, but it is a way you can use to refer to yourself.

Another important body language habit to remember is how you beckon someone over.  What I was used to is gesturing with my hand palm up, but in Japan, it can be seen as quite rude and is usually only used with animals.  The proper way is to gesture with the hand but with the palm facing down.

Tofugu actually has a great article on Japanese body language and gestures that I'd recommend reading if anything still seems confusing or if you want to learn more.

Polite language

In regards to polite language, I mean using polite Japanese language, such as keigo or even just desu/masu (especially if you're still a beginner or struggling with keigo) with superiors and with new coworkers until you know them better.  Politeness goes a long way, and by demonstrating your ability to distinguish when to use polite language, it'll definitely help your coworkers feel more comfortable with you.  Then, as you get to know your coworkers, talk to them more, have some weeks or maybe even months under your belt, and gain a little more experience in Japanese language usage, you'll be able to be a pro at using formal and informal language correctly and help strengthen those work relationships and even new friendships!  ^___^

P.S. -  If you're ever unsure about what level of language to use with someone, I don't think there's anything wrong with asking.  Asking instead of staying quiet and hoping for the best will show that you really care about how you treat people, and as someone new to the culture of the workplace, most people will be very understanding and want to help you.

Dress

As for dress, what you should wear and what you will wear will very much depend on your work situation.  It is customary for new employees to wear a full suit on the first day no matter how lax the dress code is for everyone normally or what the field of work is.  First impressions are very important, and it's very important to show that you do know how to dress professionally on the first day.  However, if you are aware of the dress code being slightly more casual, feel free to bring an appropriate change of clothes with you.  I've seen some "first days" and "first weeks", and everyone wears a black and white formal suit on the first day for self-introductions and opening ceremonies and meetings.  Then once all the formalities are over, they'll change into more comfortable clothes.

For example, new teachers at my workplace have come in wearing a suit, and once they've been introduced formally to the office and the students in an assembly, they'll go to the changing room and dress more casually.  The P.E. teacher quickly switched to a sports shirt and sweatpants, and the math teacher exchanged her black skirt for a pair of khakis and took off her blazer just wearing the white button-down blouse underneath for her top.  Also, I've seen brand new younger employees and interns come in a full suit the first day and keep it on all day and then slowly become more and more casual as the days and weeks passed by.  They start to lose the blazer during the first week.  Then after the first few days, they start wearing colors.  Then by the third or fourth week, they're in the clothes they'll normally wear.

In the end, just be aware of your surroundings and how everyone else dresses, and basically, mimic what you see.  However, also remember that you are now a representative of your workplace and a role model, especially as a teacher.  Dressing the part really helps your students to understand that you are a teacher just like everyone else and not an exotic foreigner to gawk at and play with.

Other Schmoozing

Omiyage!  Omiyage is Japanese for souvenir, and souvenir and gift culture is a big deal in Japan.  Aaaand, it can be used to your advantage to help you with relationships in the workplace.  When my coworkers go on a trip somewhere like to another prefecture or a popular tourist attraction, they usually bring back omiyage for the office.  This omiyage is usually one of those fancy boxes filled with crackers, cookies, chocolates, or other sweets.  The food is wrapped with, imprinted with, or even shaped as something well-known from where they come from, such as banana-shaped cookies or little cakes from Tokyo or cookies in the shape of the poop of deer from Nara or maybe even green tea that comes in a bag bearing the name of the town of Uji, Kyoto.  You can pass each piece out individually to each coworker if you want that chance to speak to each person and make that face time, or you can put a little note (omiyage's origin and your name at least or even a longer message encouraging everyone to take a piece) with the package and leave it in a place most people access, such as the staff kitchen.  If you do the latter, it also helps to announce that you've placed free food out or tell some people individually as you see them.

Outside of omiyage and gifts, there are many simple and easy things you can do to basically schmooze your way around the office and give off an amiable and positive impression.  One thing you can do is just talk to people!  Make small talk and make an effort to learn about your coworkers.  It shows you are interested in joining the workplace community and not just coming into to work to work and then leave  (I mean, unless that's all you want to do, but this whole post is about helping you "fit in" and get along with people to have a more positive impact and experience in your new Japanese workplace.... :P).  If you're at a lost for conversation topics, ask people to show you how to use things around the office.  After you ask how to make coffee, you can offer to make coffee for someone or for the office, lol.  If you have down time, you can offer to help clean or help with some other small tasks, like if you see a coworker making copies or distributing papers.  Just generally be open and welcoming.  (I wish I could insert a thumbs up here for encouragement, heh heh.)

One More Thing

Just remember, whatever you call yourself (expatriate, expat, immigrant, foreigner, gaijin, American, Canadian, etc.), you are willing choosing to move to and join another culture and country.  This is completely of your own volition.  No one is making you assimilate.  No one is forcing you to adapt.  So, please make the effort to learn about what you're getting yourself into.  It only makes sense, right?  You're an adult getting a job now, and, basically, you have to act like it.  It's just respectful and considerate and what human beings should do.  This might sound kind of strong and like I'm scolding you, but it's the truth.  

However, I'm not saying assimilate into another culture at the expense of your own culture and your personality and individuality.  I'm saying make an effort to welcome and adapt to the changes of the culture and country you're joining just they are ready to welcome and try to cater to you.  Seriously, Japanese people can be the most welcoming and helpful of any country if you just meet the people halfway. And, just think about it!  You're making the choice to come and work and live in Japan!  There's so much to discover and learn and enjoy!  Making little adjustments will only serve to help you enjoy and really immerse yourself in an amazing country.

Here's a link to a video to get you even more hyped about moving to and working in Japan!