Wednesday, May 13, 2009
After having a great opportunity of experiencing life in Japan, I came to notice a big difference between our countries and I can't help myself but to compare what I was used to and this new way of life I am living now. It is now my second time here as an intra-company employee in Takasago, Japan and still my opinions about this country remains the same.
When I first stepped here, my first impression to all I was seeing was wierd, as in capital W I E R D ... I guess since it was my first time to be in another country, then my reaction is really forgiveable. The first thing that I noticed was the atmosphere...wheww! so much for the smoke, dust and noise pollution. Surprisingly after being considered as a top rated country when it comes to technology, I wasn't really expecting it to be like this. The air is so fresh and clean, and the atmosphere is so relaxing. I wonder how they keep it this way.. No single car horn will be heard, it's just so peaceful and quiet. Well compared to our country, I have to admit they have a lot of edge on the pollution part... way way over the top. I am not sure about the noise part though, it's nice that it's quiet and all that, but I think in the long run, it's somewhat too quiet here that it's too close to being dull and boring. Honestly, it's one of the things I miss back home.. the lively surroundings and the chit chats of people combined together, okay so, I maybe a little exagerating but it's like music to my ears.
The next thing that I noticed was the people, oh boy! do they love fashion??!! At first I thought their style of clothing was somewhat too much for an ordinary day, but as more days passed, I really came to appreciate them...so much that sometimes I try to dress like one of them (well not even close! but hey I tried, haha!) .They looked liked barbie dolls came to life.. like ken and barbie would pale in comparison to them (hehe!) ..they are always dressed up and always ready for a party or something.. They have this freedom of expression here (not the kind that we have back home) not worrying about being criticized by others. They're not really brand conscious or color conscious, as long as it works for them, they'll wear it. I guess you can say that they have the right attitude towards themselves. Others doesn't really stare alot or gossips about others that has a different perspective in fashion. We Filipinos, on the other hand, have a different view over fashion. We dress up according to waht's "IN" in the fashion industry! It's not really bad, actually it's cool, because wherever we go, it feels like.. we belong! It's easy to blend in the crowd... maybe our selection of clothes are somewhat on the general side.. and I think it's a good thing.. What's not really cool about us is that we like to criticize people, that's why others are sometimes afraid to express themselves. I noticed that Filipinos are more conscious about how their look would please others rather than how it would please themselves. hmmm..makes me wonder when will we ever change that..
Another major thing that I noticed here is TIME.. it's amazing how they manage to base anything on time.. their trains and busses arrives on scheduled time.. no more no less (unbelievable!).. They have a synchronized time so everybody has the same figures on their watch.. (cool right?!) There are bus stops that has a schedule posted so you can estimate what time will you be on the station to ride the bus... the drivers don't stop long enough on each station and even if it is still empty, it won't stay long to wait, it would leave exactly as scheduled!.. so everything is so organized, you can easily manage your time here not worrying about the traffic or the bus taking too much time waiting for passengers. It's really stress-free! The downside of it however is that.. since the schedule is routinary.. its becomes robotic... and it boils down again to being dull and boring. Unlike at home everyday is challenge.. even though you wake up earlier than the rooster to make the "tik-tilaok sound" sometimes you will still be late in the office.. thanks to the hardworking bus drivers that has the neverending patinece to wait for passengers to fill the bus and stops by at every street along the way to Makati. Thinking of it, it's that jpurney that makes my day alive and exciting... and one of the things I missed back home.
Next on my list is their personality and attitude. Well, there's alot to mention on this part but I think I will only name a few. I know we always have this percepton towards the Japanese as violent people, maybe because of what happened in the world war II and what we see on movies ( them as Yakuzas).. and we can't blame us, I mean they were really ruthless historically and theatrically speaking. However, I was really amazed by their atitude now, I mean they are really very peaceful beings. Always bowing their heads and greeting you even though they don't really know you. They are also very helpful, honest , disciplined and hardworking. What is bad about them is that most of the time.. they are so hardworking that they tend to forget that they are also human.. human that needs to have fun enjoyment. They become too serious to their jobs that sometimes they tend to forget their families and personal lives. tskk.. tsskk.. that's too bad. Comparatively speaking, Filipinos are also helpful and hardworking people, they're just fun-loving beings and they can't help but to enjoy themselves even in the office. What's bad about us is sometimes we have too much enjoyment that we put our jobs aside to give way to our chit chats! (peteks! wehehe!) We value our personal life than our jobs and I think it's nice that we put our families ahead ..because for me quality times with them is priceless!
When I first stepped here, my first impression to all I was seeing was wierd, as in capital W I E R D ... I guess since it was my first time to be in another country, then my reaction is really forgiveable. The first thing that I noticed was the atmosphere...wheww! so much for the smoke, dust and noise pollution. Surprisingly after being considered as a top rated country when it comes to technology, I wasn't really expecting it to be like this. The air is so fresh and clean, and the atmosphere is so relaxing. I wonder how they keep it this way.. No single car horn will be heard, it's just so peaceful and quiet. Well compared to our country, I have to admit they have a lot of edge on the pollution part... way way over the top. I am not sure about the noise part though, it's nice that it's quiet and all that, but I think in the long run, it's somewhat too quiet here that it's too close to being dull and boring. Honestly, it's one of the things I miss back home.. the lively surroundings and the chit chats of people combined together, okay so, I maybe a little exagerating but it's like music to my ears.
The next thing that I noticed was the people, oh boy! do they love fashion??!! At first I thought their style of clothing was somewhat too much for an ordinary day, but as more days passed, I really came to appreciate them...so much that sometimes I try to dress like one of them (well not even close! but hey I tried, haha!) .They looked liked barbie dolls came to life.. like ken and barbie would pale in comparison to them (hehe!) ..they are always dressed up and always ready for a party or something.. They have this freedom of expression here (not the kind that we have back home) not worrying about being criticized by others. They're not really brand conscious or color conscious, as long as it works for them, they'll wear it. I guess you can say that they have the right attitude towards themselves. Others doesn't really stare alot or gossips about others that has a different perspective in fashion. We Filipinos, on the other hand, have a different view over fashion. We dress up according to waht's "IN" in the fashion industry! It's not really bad, actually it's cool, because wherever we go, it feels like.. we belong! It's easy to blend in the crowd... maybe our selection of clothes are somewhat on the general side.. and I think it's a good thing.. What's not really cool about us is that we like to criticize people, that's why others are sometimes afraid to express themselves. I noticed that Filipinos are more conscious about how their look would please others rather than how it would please themselves. hmmm..makes me wonder when will we ever change that..
Another major thing that I noticed here is TIME.. it's amazing how they manage to base anything on time.. their trains and busses arrives on scheduled time.. no more no less (unbelievable!).. They have a synchronized time so everybody has the same figures on their watch.. (cool right?!) There are bus stops that has a schedule posted so you can estimate what time will you be on the station to ride the bus... the drivers don't stop long enough on each station and even if it is still empty, it won't stay long to wait, it would leave exactly as scheduled!.. so everything is so organized, you can easily manage your time here not worrying about the traffic or the bus taking too much time waiting for passengers. It's really stress-free! The downside of it however is that.. since the schedule is routinary.. its becomes robotic... and it boils down again to being dull and boring. Unlike at home everyday is challenge.. even though you wake up earlier than the rooster to make the "tik-tilaok sound" sometimes you will still be late in the office.. thanks to the hardworking bus drivers that has the neverending patinece to wait for passengers to fill the bus and stops by at every street along the way to Makati. Thinking of it, it's that jpurney that makes my day alive and exciting... and one of the things I missed back home.
Next on my list is their personality and attitude. Well, there's alot to mention on this part but I think I will only name a few. I know we always have this percepton towards the Japanese as violent people, maybe because of what happened in the world war II and what we see on movies ( them as Yakuzas).. and we can't blame us, I mean they were really ruthless historically and theatrically speaking. However, I was really amazed by their atitude now, I mean they are really very peaceful beings. Always bowing their heads and greeting you even though they don't really know you. They are also very helpful, honest , disciplined and hardworking. What is bad about them is that most of the time.. they are so hardworking that they tend to forget that they are also human.. human that needs to have fun enjoyment. They become too serious to their jobs that sometimes they tend to forget their families and personal lives. tskk.. tsskk.. that's too bad. Comparatively speaking, Filipinos are also helpful and hardworking people, they're just fun-loving beings and they can't help but to enjoy themselves even in the office. What's bad about us is sometimes we have too much enjoyment that we put our jobs aside to give way to our chit chats! (peteks! wehehe!) We value our personal life than our jobs and I think it's nice that we put our families ahead ..because for me quality times with them is priceless!
It is nice to try living in another country even if it's just a short time. It really broadens your tight world and opens new doors for experience and opportunity.. I will be forever greatful for this opportunity ...
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