ファニーな日本語翻訳はこれらのサイトで…http://www.excite.co.jp/world/english/ 読み比べるのもおもしろい？ http://honyaku.yahoo.co.jp/ http://translate.google.co.jp/translate_t
I know I didn't need to take it personally, but, sometimes, it was shocking to me when people served me unfriendly at restaurants, deli, or even Dunkin Donuts. In Japan, the phrase "Customer is a God" is frequently heard. You know, they bring "money" to you...!!
So, what are exactly unfriendly? Simply, they don't smile! Unbelievably, they roughly put a glass filled with water on the table! (Pls note: these are worst examples!!) Now, I can understand why people who have travelled to Japan always say to me, "Japan's service is amazing". They are true. I missed such Japanese customer services for a while. At the same time, I must say I had been tired of that Japanese customer service, too, because it was "too much".
In Japan, politeness is very important for superiors, strangers or customers unlike American frankness culture. For me, however, when this politeness goes beyond, it just becomes annoying because it's obvious that true hospitalises are lucking in their empty words. Besides that, you might feel like, "Are they robots? because it's Japan?". In other words, they just talk with customers as written in an instruction manual!! Honestly, whenever I encountered this kind of "robot service", I felt uncomfortable, though I'm pretty sure these people are so serious that follow the manual. You can't miss that the seriousness is also one of Japanese interesting characteristics!!
After living in NY for 6 months, I feel I am getting used to this service differences. Now, I can understand this difference comes from "frankness" or "evenness" of American people. Even the relationship between customers and shop workers are friendly, which is simply happy service to receive. What I hope is both "I don't care about you" attitude and "Yes, I am a robot machine" service are not making me feel isolated. We should deserve what we pay, right? But, here's a key. Say, "Hi" with your big smile, then they'll smile back to you friendly!
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Monday, December 29, 2008
Oh, I love New York
A very shocking thing happened to me last night. Although it's been almost 6 months living in New York City, I have seldom travelled around the city!!
It happened last night. I wanted to buy a new calendar and schedule notebook for 2009. I would go to "ecute" or "ITOYA" if I were in Tokyo. But, in New York, I have no idea where I can get them. So, I was checking guidebooks that I brought from Japan. One of these books was actually from 2005. In 2005, I came here to cheer Godzilla Matsui. So, while I was turning pages, I found some check marks, which I had been planning to visit.
As soon as I found those marks, suddenly, I was scared of the fact that I have only visited a few imited places and areas in the last 6 months!! Going to school everyday, then, sometimes dropped off the train at 34th or 42nd, just like that!! How boring my life in NY!!
I mean, I actually have visited many different areas while I was struggling with finding an apartment. But, it was not for fun, so I didn't check any interesting shops, restaurants, in turn, neighborhoods.
So, today, I went to NOHO since this place was one of my favorite places in New York when I was here a few years ago. Unfortunately, most of things sold in NOHO is something I can't afford. But, each shop has very unique items and they are all worth doing window shopping. And, it's simply fun! (Sorry, shop owners, I'm not buying!!)
Later that, I went to SOHO, Union square, and Grand Central Station. It was already dark outside and the buildings were already sparkling when I was walking in front of Grand Central Station. Looking up the Grand Central Station, I was remembering the excitement that I had 3 years ago. I loved this building. Above the station, I could see the beautiful Chrysler building, too. It is a tremendously scenery, but I love the inside of Grand Central Station, as well. Not only the beautiful ceiling, but also the atmospheres crated by people, such as someone who will leave the city, or are waiting someone coming to the city. There I could imagine hundreds of stories. So, today's short trip reminded me that how deeply I love New York city. In other words, I've just figured out how I was deeply missing New York!!
In 2009, no mater how I have to go crazy for the school, I'll definitely go outside and enjoy New York, because these 6 months, I was keeping saying, "you cannot go and hang around the city as you have to study and you don't have money either!". How wack!!
I was also telling myself like this, "I have already travelled around the city when I came here before, so don't need to go around, just study". How silly!!
New York city is alive and active all the time. So, nothing is the same. Even timeless things will have different impressions all the time.
You'll never be bored in New York City if you ARE active and alive in the city. Oh, I didn't get either calendar and schedule book, so I have another chance to hang around the city tomorrow!!
It happened last night. I wanted to buy a new calendar and schedule notebook for 2009. I would go to "ecute" or "ITOYA" if I were in Tokyo. But, in New York, I have no idea where I can get them. So, I was checking guidebooks that I brought from Japan. One of these books was actually from 2005. In 2005, I came here to cheer Godzilla Matsui. So, while I was turning pages, I found some check marks, which I had been planning to visit.
As soon as I found those marks, suddenly, I was scared of the fact that I have only visited a few imited places and areas in the last 6 months!! Going to school everyday, then, sometimes dropped off the train at 34th or 42nd, just like that!! How boring my life in NY!!
I mean, I actually have visited many different areas while I was struggling with finding an apartment. But, it was not for fun, so I didn't check any interesting shops, restaurants, in turn, neighborhoods.
So, today, I went to NOHO since this place was one of my favorite places in New York when I was here a few years ago. Unfortunately, most of things sold in NOHO is something I can't afford. But, each shop has very unique items and they are all worth doing window shopping. And, it's simply fun! (Sorry, shop owners, I'm not buying!!)
Later that, I went to SOHO, Union square, and Grand Central Station. It was already dark outside and the buildings were already sparkling when I was walking in front of Grand Central Station. Looking up the Grand Central Station, I was remembering the excitement that I had 3 years ago. I loved this building. Above the station, I could see the beautiful Chrysler building, too. It is a tremendously scenery, but I love the inside of Grand Central Station, as well. Not only the beautiful ceiling, but also the atmospheres crated by people, such as someone who will leave the city, or are waiting someone coming to the city. There I could imagine hundreds of stories. So, today's short trip reminded me that how deeply I love New York city. In other words, I've just figured out how I was deeply missing New York!!
In 2009, no mater how I have to go crazy for the school, I'll definitely go outside and enjoy New York, because these 6 months, I was keeping saying, "you cannot go and hang around the city as you have to study and you don't have money either!". How wack!!
I was also telling myself like this, "I have already travelled around the city when I came here before, so don't need to go around, just study". How silly!!
New York city is alive and active all the time. So, nothing is the same. Even timeless things will have different impressions all the time.
You'll never be bored in New York City if you ARE active and alive in the city. Oh, I didn't get either calendar and schedule book, so I have another chance to hang around the city tomorrow!!
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