April 15, 2007

• Language and Culture

  New Language Partner

  I now have two language partners! I received a second one just this weekend- well,
  information about him, at least. I presently have one partner named
  Daisuke, as you’ll see on the left (Daisuke is on the left, and our
  friend on the right). I have been given a second partner who is from
  Korea apparently, as they have need of another partner. Apparently in
  my time with the program I’ve made a very positive impression on the
  original head of it (now there are two) and I was among her top picks
  for partners when they were short on them. Yeah for me!

  Japan- Keep your work clean!

  A little cultural tidbit on Japan by
  Peter Payne, my favourite ‘blogger’ from Japan. He is an American who
  married a Japanese woman and lives in Japan with two children, as well
  as being the head of a company I believe he started there. Here’s a
  fascinating article on a major cultural difference I noticed quickly
  after watching some anime (Japanese cartoons).

  One major difference between schools
  in the U.S. and Japan that I’ve noticed is that here, the children
  themselves are responsible for every lick of cleaning that goes on in
  their school, from sweeping to wiping off desks to cleaning the
  bathrooms, including the “big cleaning” that’s done at the end of the
  year. There are no janitors at Japanese schools, just a handyman for
  doing jobs like changing out lights — all the cleaning is the
  responsibility of the students. This certainly has some budgetary
  benefits for schools, but it also helps build character and yes, a
  little humility, in the kids. This tradition of self-cleaning is
  carried over into many companies, and every Monday morning the J-List
  employees wipe, sweep, clean and vacuum the office to make sure we have
  a clean place to work in all week.

  -Patrick

  

  • 10:20 am
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