8/29/2009

English on the phone

Speaking in English on the phone is most difficult for me, because the other person's voice sometimes cut off, so I have to interpret sounds I'm unable to hear. Though it's something I can do in Japanese easily, I struggle to do it in English.

I think there are two reasons for this. The first reason is that I've only listened to clear English which used in text book, so I'm not used to listening to obscure English. The other reason is that my vocabulary is still limited, so I can't guess at what they're saying.

I have to get used to English used on the phone, something they don't teach you in textbook.

8/26/2009

The diversity and the homogeneity

I'm now interning in a US company. There are a wide variety of people in the company. I used to work in a Japanese company where the culture was very consistent. Working in both companies, I can see that they're very different from each other.

Normal Japanese people with permanent jobs have to work long hours, so the company tend to hire only men who can work those hours, hesitating to hire women, thinking they can't work those hours. This tendency lead to the homogeneity in the office.

On the other hand, US companies allows their employees to work flexible, short hours, leading to a variety of people who can work there. They even have unisex rest rooms in the office, something I've never seen in Japan.

If the Japanese companies review their working condition, they can also have the diversity in companies. Now, the population of Japan is decreasing; Japanese companies can't continue with the same ideals. They have to make use of the people who have been ignored, women , unemployed youths, and immigrants.

Summer Streets 2009

I joined NYC's Summer Streets 2009 on the 15th, cycled through Lafayette Street and Park Avenue, and from Canal Street to East 72nd Street.

Cars could not drive on the street during this event. The streets becamse exclusive pedestrians and bikes only. The participants were able to enjoy car-free streets in Manhattan. I've never joined this kind of event, so was very fun for me.

Through this event, NYC and the DOT (Department of Transportation) are trying to make people realize the benefits of cycling. A lot of people don't know what that bikes have the potential to make people healthier and, in the process, improve the city's environment.

I only joined for an hour on the 15th, and I'd lilke to experience this event even more, so I'll also join the Summer Streets the 22nd.

Volunteers game me pinwheel and a book about biking rules on the way. I'll read the book and learn the law of cycling in the US. The pinwheel is in in Totoro's head.




8/15/2009

“Communication is important.”

One of most impressive words which I've heard in NY, is “Communication is important.” These words are the word that I've never been heard in Japan. There is a proverb in Japanese, “Ishin-Denshin (the direct communication from mind to mind without words)”. This proverb means that Japanese can understand without using words. The Japanese seniors like this proverb, while the younger ones dislike it.

The reason is that if young people only followed the senior people's orders, they'll most likely fail. Times are changing quickly; conducts from the past are no longer accepted now in many situations, but a lot of people do not notice this change and force the younger Japanese to follow their own ways without explaining why, failing to communicate with the younger generation. The elderly have to notice that we are now live in different times.

On the other hand, my supervisor knows that everybody has their own opinion. He respect company's members. I'm impressed by his attitude which is hard to come by for older Japanese people.

8/12/2009

Made in Japan in NY (or Designed in, and Assembled in Japan)



I saw a lot of products which are related to Japan in NY. The main products are Automobiles, digital cameras, Manga, Video Games, and Japanese foods.

A lot of tourists are bringing Japanese manufactured digital cameras. Big book stores have the shelves exclusively for Manga.

On the other hand, Mobile phones are suffering crushing defeats. I haven't seen Japanese mobile phones in NY. The performance of mobile phones is quite good, but seems unsalable in NY.

***Refer to : The NY Times article***
Why Japan's Cellphone Haven't Gone Global – Worldnews.com

http://article.wn.com/view/2009/07/20/Why_Japans_Cellphones_Havent_Gone_Global/

Unexpected things are “Sudoku” and “Hello Kitty”. I thought unexpected things have became popular.

When I visited the Times Square, Korean manufacturers had their advertisement in the Times Square. I thought Korean manufacture were replacing Japanese manufactures. Korean mobile phones are popular in NY.

After coming here, I can think about things from a different point of view. When I was living in Japan, I was only thinking from a Japanese point of view.