One of the Japanese guys I was with commented that the bus drivers we have had with us during our time here in New Zealand have all been colourful in terms of personality. And it’s true. It’s true because our culture allows this, whereas that’s just not the case in Japan.

In Japan there’s a certain etiquette that people who work directly with customers have to follow. So much so that as long as they can follow certain cultural guidelines they are fine. They are also interchangeable. That’s the Japanese education system at work.

I think the Japan example is what happens when you prioritize the company over the worker, with the opposite true for NZ. For the worker, it’s better to be more individual because that’s how you become irreplaceable, and in turn more valuable to your employer.

I know which one I prefer, and I think I’d prefer it even if I were an employer too. The problem is that it can be hit and miss, but then, you can just get rid of those who don’t fit the culture, no?