Japanese Mentality

How many times have I mentioned how grateful I am to be here and experiencing a life in Japan?

That being said, that doesn't mean I'm supposed to appreciate nor agree with everything that comes along with being engulfed in the Japanese culture.

The top thing on my list will most likely be the Japanese mentality... their way of thinking.

Why have vacation days, if it's basically the mentality to work, work, work... and then when you've done all the work you can do... suck up even more by doing overtime?

Vacation days are yours to use... and though you should be considerate about when to use them and how long to use them... the higher parties should also realize that these are your days to do with what you like. I usually concede because... well... that's the Japanese mentality... but, if I asked for 3 days... it's usually because that's how many days I want to take. Why should it always be a negotiation?

Why climb Mt. Fuji EVER so slowly in a line... when, there is so much space on the side for everybody else to climb at their own pace?

This is something I did not accept, I will admit. I totally Gaijin-Smashed it... and actually kind of started a Gaijin Revolution when I was climbing Mt. Fuji. The process... going up Mt. Fuji... taking breaks in between... experiencing the summit and it's beauty... and then going back down... it's kind of a long process in itself... at least 10 hours! Does it look like I'm patient enough to wait in a line and go only one step every 5 seconds... NO! In fact... I kind of see it as a hazardous process... if one person falls... there is a huge risk they're taking someone (a person that tries to save them or they grab on to) or many someones (domino effect) down with them.

And now... for the real purpose of this entry:

Why was I given a speech/lecture... though a polite one... about how I shouldn't read/practice my Japanese speech during work?

... wait... wait... wait... did I mention all the kids had left early... it was 2 PM and there were no kids in the building.

"Why not prepare for tomorrow's lesson?"

Uh... cause I have no lessons tomorrow...

"Well... there's always the day after tomorrow?"

Done...

"Uh... well... even though you have nothing to do right now... you should still be productive with work-related stuff."

So, when I was studying for my Japanese test... that was okay. But, now me reading and practicing for my Japanese speech... that's, not okay?

Japanese Mentality... 2 and a half years... and I still don't quite understand it. I had nothing really to do... yet, I had to figure out something to do.

Yeah... I realize that two teachers were discussing my speech a bit loudly... thus, causing a distraction. But, would it have been better for me to not let them read my speech?

"Can I read your speech?"

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! ::rips speech paper out of hands::

Yeah, somehow I think that wouldn't fly too well... WORLD MENTALITY.

It's kind of funny how life works out sometimes though. There are some days that I've done Sudoku at my desk... hell, forget that... there are days that I've been so lazy and bored with nothing to do... that I have sat at my desk and stared blankly out of the window for 20+ minutes... not even bulging or being the least bit productive. And not one single complaint about that.

Not to mention there are other ALTs that get on the computer and play games... read books/mangas... take their DS/PSPs and play in a different room... that sort of stuff.

So, yeah... I kind of felt like a student being disciplined today... no bueno.

Yes, I know that it's wrong for me to mount my high horse and shit on the culture in which has taken me in, but stating your opinions does not mean you think you're better than anybody else. I just think this certain way due to the environment I was raised in... and though I don't agree with it... I do decide to accept it...

... and if anything... you can always expect me to dedicate a rant entry to the subject... heh heh.

Well... that's all for Japanese Mentality... end rant.