I'm so envious that you got to work in Tokyo! Working there and going for a holiday are such different experiences. I’ve seen some videos online of exactly what you mentioned—they just keep pushing and shoving passengers in like a pile of clothing or something! Lol.
For me, I took the train after the morning rush, so it was quite comfortable. I really like how well-mannered everyone is, keeping everything to themselves, especially the noise and all. Meanwhile, my two idiot travel companions talked to each other across the aisle/seats. It was so embarrassing as most of the passengers there did gave them the side eyes and yet they still don't get the message. I felt like I want to push them off the train.
Do you like Tokyo @emmabritt? Yes yes, working there and going for holiday are very different experiences. And I was very lucky then. Even though it was just 2 weeks, it was interesting to see the life of the people there. Example, in the office I was in, there was no dustbins at all and all employees bring their trash home. If I am not mistaken, even the streets do not have any trash bins but there were hardly any trash! So disciplined. But I heard it was due to a few incidents of people using the trash cans as their act of terrorism. And the men would not go home after work. They rather hang out in the office and go for drinks, dinner until late because there was a stigma whereby men should go home late to show they work hard. But that was long ago, not sure if it is still the case now.
Ah after the morning rush would have been much more relaxing. Hehe.. I have seen such passengers before. Even when 1 passenger was talking loudly on the phone, or have their phone volume up, most passengers (including myself) would give a side eye too hahah. But I don't blame your travel companions because they most probably were so immersed in their conversation that they did not notice hehe.
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I'm curious about your routine there for those two weeks. Did you eat out often? Because there are so many ready-to-eat meals everywhere, and you can practically have a feast right from their convenience stores!
Yes, I love Tokyo so much, too, and I wish I could visit again in the future, though next time, I'd want to explore completely different parts of Japan.
You're right about the dustbins; we had to keep our trash with us until we got home, which sadly started because of security concerns.
But when you think about it, it's amazing how clean they are without those public bins, whereas back home we have so many of them and people still litter everywhere.
Did you get to join your colleagues for those drinking sessions? I know some of them can make it really difficult to decline.
The Japanese work ethic is crazy—either they go out for drinks to avoid going home early, or everyone feels pressured to stay at the office.
As for my own travel companions, nah...they were the inconsiderate, hillbilly type. They didn't care about manners at all and were totally the sort to abuse their rights.
Ah.. Breakfast were mostly the onigiris or sandwiches or fruits, bought from the convenience stores or I just skip haha. Hehe yes yes, really love their 100 yen shops and family marts and 7-elevens and their little shops. Everything was so kawaii and their shopkeepers so very polite.
Lunches during workday were at the office's cafeteria. And I think it was the first time I saw the super realistic looking plastic display dishes, I was so impressed! Haha. They served all sorts, Japanese curry was one of them, though I don't quite like it, just because it didn't really taste like curry for me. Oh but during the weekend, we walked around Tokyo and found some places to eat, one of which was a bbq place and my colleague ordered cow's tongue! I was shocked! Haha.
Oh yes, they are so clean, wherever. In the office, restaurants, shops, streets. All were so clean! Yup yup, they have amazing discipline and attitude, just like how the Japanese fans were after the World Cup games where they stayed back to help clean the stadium.
I didn't join the drinking sessions but I saw people in the next tables drinking haha. But Japanese are so soft spoken. Whether they were angry or drunk, they were still polite.
Ah, I would love to go back there tooo.
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I love onigiri, but I'm so bad at making them myself! If only a convenience store were closer to my home, I could have them every day.
Those stores, they have so many things that I would want to bring home including pans and quilts. I still remember having to buy a whole new luggage in Donki for my haul.
I used to stand right in front of restaurant just to admired those super realistic plastic dishes!
And speaking of the food, their curry having a slight twist from the usual. It wasn't until I learned to cook Japanese food that I figured out how to play with different ingredients; you can even put grated apple or coffee into it. Now, I love Japanese curry more than any other kind.
As for the ox tongue, it's actually really nice once you get past the shock factor, especially because they slice it up so nicely that you wouldn't even know what it is.
It's so true that people around the world could learn a lot from their cleanliness and discipline. Though it is funny seeing some responses from Japanese housewives who joked, "If only they would do this at home, too!"
And the politeness is unmatched with all that bowing, I sometimes imagine someone could be cussing out their target while doing it, and no one would even be able to tell!
Haha.. I don't even want to attempt making onigiri. Oh but I usually watch on YT, channels like Udonsoba, Wazairo and they follow restaurant owners, yatai stall owners from prep to closing time, and some places make onigiri. They make it look easy haha.
Hehe.. speaking of pans and quilts, I bought quilted and patchwork bags, little plates, bowls, cups. They are so prettyyy. Which is why I quite like going to Daiso whenever I miss Japan and would look for little ceramic items that are made in Japan.
Ahh.. okay, I shall go try Japanese curry. Oh.. you have tried ox tongue? Hmm okay.. maybe I will try when there is another chance 😅
Hahah.. Guess the men and kids don't replicate the cleaning at home. Quite typical of asian families I think, leave it to the mothers or women in the house to do it.
Oh the bowing hahah.. I love doing that there. But sometimes, not sure when to stop haha. Even when I am back, I do that to some of my work mates, out of respect and for the fun of it. Maybe not 90 degrees down, just 45 degrees usually.
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You watch those too?! Me too, it's so interesting watching them. Sometimes those ambient sounds even become my sleeping lullaby! But I forgot which channels they were. I bookmarked them. These days I try not to watch them right before bed because they just make me think of food.
Daiso used to be even better, but it'll have to do for me right now. You brought home actual Japanese plates and bowls? I'm so envious! Right now I just have to settle for whatever's on the shelves at Daiso. They have those beautiful blue glazed plates which would cost hundred somewhere else.
The first time a friend wanted to order ox tongue at a Japanese BBQ I shrieked in horror, but he convinced me. They slice it like salami, completely unlike those in Chinese porridge, still they're sliced beyond recognition.
On the other topic, I've heard a lot of dissatisfaction from the media where their mindset is still that men are superior like some men in our own country expect their wives to handle everything, though maybe ours isn't quite as bad.
It's great that kids over there learn to clean their own classrooms and toilets because these days kids here don't have to do anything. Unlike my generation, we'd get smacked if we didn't help out at home!
I practice the bowing too, maybe less than 45 degrees, because I think it expresses way more appreciation than just a standard thank you. Definitely infected by way too much anime, J-dramas, and K-dramas, haha
Yessss I love watching those and sometimes doze off hahaha. But I love watching how dedicated they are into what they do, especially the yatais where they would spend an hour plus or two or maybe three to set up their stall, cook and sell for a few hours and another hour or two to close and keep their stall at a corner spot somewhere. And I love listening to their stories. And yes, watch them only before the time when we wanna eat, usually before lunch or dinner. Sometimes, after watching all the ramen shops, we would end up eating Japanese for dinner haha.
Hmm slicing the tongue thin may work for me actually. I am not a meat person but when the meat is unrecognizable in form and taste, I would be able to enjoy haha.
Ahhh the influence from the J and the K dramas. Haha.. I do C too.
This BOOMING vote is yours and well deserved!
❤️🍀
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Thank you again!