[su_pullquote][su_highlight]Akash San [/su_highlight](an IITian & an SNRC student) works for large Japanese MNC in Bangalore. He has spent a good amount of time working for his parent company in Japan. Akash San was kind enough to share, with SNRC students, some of his very exciting experiences while in Japan. Lots of useful tips for those planning a trip to Japan on work or otherwise.[/su_pullquote]
[su_spacer] [su_highlight background=”#fff153″]Country| Food| Culture [/su_highlight]
- Apart from learning Japanese language, learn about Japan , its geography & culture. We must also know very well about our own country. They are very curious about Indians. Why do we have an edge when it comes to Mathematics? Why do Indians speak English? How many languages does India speak? How many religions? How many live in Japan? Where did Buddhism start (Buddhism is a link between Japan & India)? Etc etc!
- Even simple things like using ATMs can be a huge challenge if one is not familiar!
- While in Japan your behavior is analyzed very closely. Come out of the “shell” & interact with locals. Fall in love with Japanese food & get used to eating it to win over friends . Also plan tea coffee sessions with them to get to know them better.
- Eating Rice with chopstick …you must learn. Eat Rice & Dal separately
[su_highlight background=”#fff153″] Speaking Japanese![/su_highlight]
- Indian have an advantage when they frame the sentence in their minds in their native tongue & then translate it to Japanese! One very important aspect that new comers to Japan need to remember is to be polite all the time.
- For example: Politeness.
- Who are you addressing? It does matter in Japanese communication. The moment you are humble, the small mistakes you make are ignored by the other person. In English, we might say “it’s nice”. But in Japanese, even a positive answer is given as “I think it’s nice; how do you think it is?”
- In English if somebody asks me for my name I say “Akash”. In Japanese we have to make a full sentence “watashiwa Akash desu” Even more polite is “watashiwa Akash to moshimasu”. This is exactly politeness.
- In English we feel this is unnecessary. Where did this politeness come from? Japanese Culture.
- Do not use L if speaking with Japanese. Change to R. Make the tone softer. Speak slowly.
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