Bus drivers full of colour

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?

ENJOYED THIS? HAVE MORE.

MOUNTAINS OF WISDOM

Subscribe to my yamabushi newsletter

RECENT BLOG POSTS

A fair chance
Drip by drip
black mattress in front of a large window behind a mountain
Easy to measure, actually useful?

YAMABUSHI BLOG POSTS

To become a linchpin
person holding a green plant
Have to, get to
Mt. Chokai
Taking advantage of spur of the moment chances: Lessons From Mt. Yonetaihei

RANDOM POSTS

black and white dartboard
Regular reiteration
Be prepared early
Tim Bunting AKA Kiwi Yamabushi on Zao-san
The cold water is how you know you’re alive
Tim Bunting Kiwi Yamabushi

Tim Bunting Kiwi Yamabushi

Get In Touch

Sakata City, Yamagata, Japan 

tim@timbunting.com

Share this:

Like this:

Like Loading...
Scroll to Top