State the Obvious » Culture

Cultures clashing – and how to prevent it

Johan Olsson — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 01:37:43 +0000

Those who ever had the pleasure of drinking with Japanese people, and with Swedes, know that they are two cultures that are on each side of the scope. Japanese people drink saké with 20% alcohol, slow, and very quietly. Swedes, we drink high content alcohol, fast, and we love to sing.

During a most wonderful lunch at Aquavit in Tokyo, me and my friend Tommy took it on our self to introduce a Swedish drinking song for the Japanese business men who enjoyed their food. So, the song was done to suite their culture.

Ladies and Gentlemen, I give to you, the Helan Går!

Now, what do I want to say with all this. Well, the week in Tokyo has been wonderful, I have meet wonderful people, I have seen places that I couldn’t have imagined a few days ago, and I have learned a lot of life lessons.

But also, when communicating with another culture it is important to understand how you come out. A western country makes one type of noise, the Japanese another. So we have to understand the other cultures noise, adopt it to our way of thinking, and send it right back, without changing the core values.

Göran Edman – 12 ways for Japanese insight

Johan Olsson — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 20:12:18 +0000

Just found a list of tips given by Göran Edman.

Accept, enjoy, and respect our differences.
Don’t believe the “impossible in Japan” message. Everything is possible, but it may take some time.
Understand that risk minimization is an important part of all decisions
Understand that there is volume in niches, and that there are enough for you to go around. Find and focus on your niche.
To succeed one must enjoy. Take notes of all the different situations you encounter.
Learn to love big cities like Tokyo. To know the city, you might have to go there a couple of times
Take a ride on the Yamanote Line. Observe how people change depending of where you are.
Do something that the Japanese themselves do.
Ask, ask, and ask again. Everybody wants to answer, and everybody wants to give advises. Ask the same questions to many people and sooner or later you’ll get a more or less correct answer.
Be provocative and be positive, by doing this you can shorten the road to success that means everything, and nothing.
Listen, listen, and listen again. There are many messages, tips, and advises from your surroundings.
Leave the bonucular at home, but pack a magnifying glass. Everything is in the details.

Crash course in Japanese Culture

Johan Olsson — Sun, 26 Jul 2009 15:31:36 +0000

Prior to my Japan trip I saw it as wise to update myself on Tokyo and the Japanese culture. Through my friend o I borrowed DK Eyewitness Travel and Emelie suggested I borrow Göran Edman’s book “Ärligt talat herr Utlänning” (Honestly speaking mister foreigner)

Both were great, and I have taken some notes that I must be sure to remember.

A “No!” is often disguised in a beautiful story
Japanese people are afraid of failing, but a mistake can be used to create a nice mood.
You stand to the right while riding an escalator
They use percentage – always. 60% chance of rain, you feel 80% today
The mouth protection is not due to bad air, it is because the person is sick.
As long as you do your best, the result does not matter.

I’ll dig a little deeper into this. Maybe I’ll pick up another book before I head for Oslo.