Turning Japanese, Teesdale Mercury

Turning Japanese

Nov 7, 2007

Earlier this year Steven Rodriguez left Middleton in Teesdale for Japan to teach English.

In Dale Life magazine - free with this week's Mercury - he shares some of the experiences he has encountered so far, highlighting the huge differences between life in Japan and England.

PEOPLE sometimes refer to Japan as "The Land of the Rising Sun".  Metaphorically speaking, I guess the same could be said of the Japanese people because they too rise as soon as the sun comes up. 

My neighbours potter around their gardens in the early hours of the morning, which sometimes disturbs an already uncomfortable sleep because of the high levels of humidity here.  The humidity was particularly high during the heights of summer.  I often found myself tearing the t-shirt off my back after just 30 minutes of wearing it.

Subsequently, Japanese people's attitude towards certain types of climate brings me to my first interesting comparison between our two nations.  Japanese people generally don't like being out in the sun because they believe that white skin colour is beautiful.  My host family thought I was crazy when I decided to go for a run during a hot and sunny day.  But, I told them that in England we're often deprived of hot and sunny weather; therefore I wanted to enjoy it.  A day later they bought me a deck chair!

Japanese people are very health-conscious, particularly in old age.   The elderly try to maintain their health by dieting, exercising and having weekly check-ups at their local hospitals.  This probably explains why Japanese people have the longest life expectancy rate in the world.  Coincidentally, I happen to be located in "Akita", the prefecture whose people are said to have the longest life expectancy rate in Japan, therefore I tend to find myself exposed to all things healthy; in particular food.

Every morning, I eat breakfast with my host family.  A typical breakfast always includes both a bowl of rice and miso soup. The accompanying dishes vary between meat, fish, vegetables and salad. Sometimes the occasional breakfast cereal and toast is served, but very rarely.  Before eating, we usually have to say "itadaki-mas", which basically means "thank you, let's eat".  All meal times are quite social events as far as everyone eating together is concerned.  However, such is the Japanese enjoyment of food, there is never much time for conversation.  Let me tell you, Japanese people really live their life around food, even if their figures wouldn't suggest so.  

Steven with some of his pupils

I generally travel to work by bike and this is a popular method used by many Japanese people including businessmen. The type of bike I use is called a "mama chari", which translates to "mother's bike" in English. It would be very embarrassing riding what I would call a "ladies bike" in England, however, in Japan it's quite common.  What strikes me the most when I travel to work is the cleanliness of the streets and the countryside.  Even though there are not so many bins in the streets, people still refrain from throwing rubbish.  I think that the respect side of Japanese culture plays an important role in this, and it is present in all areas of society, including my job. 

Teachers hold a very high position in Japanese society and therefore receive a great deal of respect.  Because students generally want to be in the lessons, it makes teaching really easy and very rewarding.  Some students even show their appreciation by giving presents such as cakes and fruits to the teachers and staff. 

We teach a fairly large variety of students with respect to background and occupation. Our students are made up of journalists, office workers, technicians, engineers, farmers, businessmen, housewives and school or university students.  But, the most common type of student in our branch works in a medical related field. Akita and Japan in general has a high ageing society, therefore the medical industry is really important. Thus, Japanese medical workers come to Nova in order to further their understanding of the English language, thereby enabling them to digest research literature written in English. 

Aside from teaching regular language classes, I'm also responsible for co-ordinating the business and travel programmes, which are special courses we offer to students who are interested in learning more about international customs, business vocabulary and conventions.  I enjoy the responsibility and gain much satisfaction from my job.  But, I don't enjoy having to work on national bank holidays.  Nova's policy is to make their language schools accessible for everyone at any time.  Therefore, Nova is open seven days a week and only closes during the New Year. 

One of the most recent national holidays marked the Equinoctial visit to the family grave.  People held ceremonies for the spirits of their ancestors by visiting their ancestors' graves to clean and tidy them.  Whilst at the graves people also prayed for their loved ones, burned incense and offered flowers, food and water.  "Ohagi", which is a rice ball covered with sweet bean paste, is the most common type of food offered because it is said that the spirits prefer to eat round food.

Outside work, I enjoy walking around Akita city. Senshu Park, in particular, is an area of Akita I like to visit. The park is located at the heart of Akita city, situated around a castle called Mono-miyagura that was used as a lookout tower during the mid-15th century. I've also been spending a lot of my free time shopping for winter clothes, since I heard that winters in Akita can be very snowy and cold. However, I've been having problems finding clothes that fit because Japanese people are generally quite small. 

Everyone changes their clothing for winter in Japan, it's a national event.  From October 1, businessmen are expected to wear thicker business suits and school children have to change their school uniforms. 

The reverse happens during summer where from June 1, businessmen change to wearing thinner business suits and school children have new school uniforms.  Coincidentally, I've recently received two new winter business suits as a birthday present from my host family - my hosts being my girlfriend Eriko's parents.

Most weekends I train with a local Japanese football team called the "Akita Wolves".  The players are very skillful and technically gifted.   The only competitive game I've played in so far I managed to score two goals, which contributed to my team winning 5-0.  I really enjoyed the game, but found it difficult at times because of the communication barrier.  However, what fascinated me most about the experience was the respect that we had to show for the opposing team before and after the match.  Prior to the game, both teams had to walk onto the pitch together, side-by-side.  Standing in the centre circle both teams bowed to each other.  The same action was also performed after the game.      

Being part of a Japanese team has really benefited my stay in Japan, as it has enabled me to make a lot of new friends and the football training has kept me in good shape.  Moreover, it's provided me with the opportunity to experience the Akita night life.  I often go drinking with my team-mates to a traditional style bar and grill called an "izaka-ya".  Izaka-ya's have many small, dark rooms situated around many bars in one building.  Each room has a table top grill where you can cook your own food. 

The idea that the "customer is king" really does apply in Japan. During the process of purchasing a product, or even just window shopping, the level of service you receive can sometimes be embarrassing. 

Upon entering a shop or any kind of service facility, every staff member shouts "irasshai-mase", which basically means "welcome".  In restaurants staff members kneel when serving you, as it's considered rude to look down upon someone in Japan, especially in the service industry.  Furthermore, after purchasing a product, the staff member will usually carry the product for you to the entrance of the shop. After handing over the product the staff member will thank you again and will wait for you to leave the premises, bowing as you leave.

I am gradually growing used to the many cultural differences between here and home. I feel quite fortunate to be here and the experience I've gained has been so worthwhile in what is such a fascinating country. On that note I'd like to wish my family, friends, co-workers and all those who know me, you know who you all are, a very happy Christmas... Ps I shall be working Christmas Day, as will most of Japan, because this is a Buddhist nation. Merry Christmas Teesdale.