During my trip to Japan last year, as our flight landed earlier than scheduled, we arrived at the hotel about 45 minutes before the standard check-in time. We thought we would be able to check-in earlier so that we can leave our luggage and valuables in our rooms before going out for lunch. However, they refused to allow us to check-in earlier despite the fact that our rooms were ready. The service staff mentioned that check-ins can only be done after the stipulated time and not anytime earlier than that, not even a few minutes before that.
In another similar situation in Japan, we had a dinner reservations at a restaurant at 7 pm. However due to the smooth traffic, we were 20 minutes early. Although our table was available and the restaurant was already opened for dinner, the manager told us to wait and only led us to our table when it was 7pm. This is unlike my experience in Singapore, where being slightly early, we were still be seated. Or even if we were slightly late, the staff still held our tables for awhile.
From these two incidences, I felt that the Japanese follow rules and schedules very strictly. Sometimes, it may seem that they lack flexibility. On the other hand, it is probably good because it means that they will try their best to be punctual for meetings.
In another similar situation in Japan, we had a dinner reservations at a restaurant at 7 pm. However due to the smooth traffic, we were 20 minutes early. Although our table was available and the restaurant was already opened for dinner, the manager told us to wait and only led us to our table when it was 7pm. This is unlike my experience in Singapore, where being slightly early, we were still be seated. Or even if we were slightly late, the staff still held our tables for awhile.
From these two incidences, I felt that the Japanese follow rules and schedules very strictly. Sometimes, it may seem that they lack flexibility. On the other hand, it is probably good because it means that they will try their best to be punctual for meetings.
First of all, I believe that they are not against you. Having read Japanese Studies module , I am have understood their culture better. It is their culture to be so rigid because these are rules that have been set and they are indeed very reluctant to change.You will not believe this but we are called "aliens" in Japan because we are not of the pure Japanese. I believe that effective communication comes in after we have to understand how their culture has evolved and be able to appreciate their distinct culture.
ReplyDeleteIndeed foreigners are referred to as "aliens" in Japan. I noticed this in the arrival cards we had to fill in and on signs throughout the airport. I agree with Pinxuan that understanding how their culture has evolved will help us appreciate their distinct culture. In addition, this will prevent us from being offended by their rigid way of doing things.
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ReplyDeleteHi Joyce, I also experienced the same thing when i was in Japan last year. Like what pinxuan said, we might not understand since we are not of pure Japanese. And as foreigners, we are always expected to respect their culture if we have stepped into their country.
ReplyDeleteWhen i was attending a conference in Japan, there was a funny incidence is that our Japanese staffs were dissatisfied with the way we were using the toilet. As normally after we use the toilet paper, we would instinctively throw the toilet papers into toilet bowl right? But to them, this is a very unacceptable way. They will only throw the used toilet paper into dustbin. So u know what, to correct us, they do a live demonstration on the stage of how to use and throw toilet paper in the toilet cubicle! Anyway, we have both learn through experience that their culture makes them different.
How annoying! It seems rules take precedence over giving good service and I had always thought that 'the customer was king in Japan.' Do you think service staff always behave like this in Japan or just the unthinking ones?
ReplyDeleteMrs Richardson
Perhaps not all the service staff behave like this in Japan. Probably the older/more traditional ones still tend to stick to the rules strictly. But I suppose the younger ones, with more education and interaction with foreigners, may be more flexible in order to accomodate others.
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ReplyDeleteI agree with Joyce that they really lack flexibility sometimes. Eventhough they can't offer customers the services immediately because of the rules, they could provide alternative or inform in a polite way that make people feel that they are respected. However, I agree with Pinxuan and Hsuen Huey that as a foreigner, we should respect their culture and learn through the experience.
ReplyDeleteIt is odd that the Japanese sticks to their time frame rigidly. I personally believe that there is no harm engaging in our activites earlier than the stipulated timing. It could be that the hotel and restaurants that you visited were not fully ready for your early arrival, hence they decided to stick firmly to the timing. Nonetheless, if this rigidity is inculcated in their daily routines, we should still respect their culture.
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