Japanese people don't know English.Most Japanese only know Japanese.That makes things a bit complicated because I only know English and Hindi.I think that finding people who can speak Hindi in Japan is very difficult, so I try English everywhere , but it appears that the odds are not very good even in favour of English( Japanese call it 'Igris' because they can not say 'L' sound).
Anyways, so let me get back to writing about politeness and helpfulness of Japanese. As soon as I reached Tokyo airport( Narita airport as it is called),I found myself in a world where everyone bows and shows respect without any big reason. People are helpful and try to help you to their best.
I have experienced the most polite and helpful customer care in Japan.The girl at the counter of the convenience store I go to speaks in fluent Japanese when I reach her, she knows that I don't understand any, but she keeps speaking and says everything that she would say to a Japanese.Then she points at the digital display for the amount I should pay. I pay the amount by holding the Japanese Yen notes with both hands which she receives with both hands and a slight bow. After she returns the change, she takes a step back and bows with both her hands on her lap saying "arigato gozaimasu" (thanks) and much more ( which I don't understand). I think she does not show that gesture to everyone but maybe because I didn't understand her Japanese, she wanted to translate everything she already said by a gesture. I try to bow a little , and say "Thank you" and make a quick exit before she speaks more Japanese and I feel more embarrassed because I can't understand any of it.
We went out for some sight seeing, and lost our way as usual. So we ask one Japanese about directions, he gets panicky( because he knows no Igris) and points at a very smartly dressed traffic policeman. As we start towards him, he senses the impending trouble of having to cope with English .But we nevertheless reach him and ask, he listens to us very intently, thinks about it (but apparently understands nothing)and exclaims "haaaaaaaaaaa..." , and half closes his eyes with a lot of force and vigorously shakes his head sidewise.With a slight bow, he makes a cross sign with his fingers ( which we guess means that he does not know). He shows so much regret for not being able to help us that it seems like he is cursing his existence and feeling that his life is not worth living because he could not help us.
Next we go to Tokyo towers, as soon as we enter the building, we see some very smartly dressed girls in blue suit , they greet everyone with a slight bow, show us the way and also walk a step or two if needed. They do it with everyone. We enter the lift and the lift man( dressed again in a suit) lets everyone go in, then with very gentle gestures tries to make his way inside an almost full lift. Then he bows slightly, gets in, gently gestures people to get away from the door by stretching his arms to make a barrier, stands with his face towards the door and presses the lift button.hmmmmffff... that is about all the politeness i see in a week in the US or a month in India.
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2 comments:
I agree with you that Japanese shop stuff and policeman is kind. Sometimes not, but I could hardly find kind shop stuff in overseas. That's why Japanese is easy to get mad in oveaseas since they are used be in good service in fatherland.
Hi Taro, nice to get your comment. I agree with you that a Japanese would feel outraged at the seeming lack of courtesy abroad.
Indians would not show so much politeness, but they are very emotional people who would help you in need by completely forgetting the self. I have found this lacking in countries like US.Japan is quite like India, though Indians can learn a lot about politeness from Japanese.
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