SnappingTurtle
Lieutenant
- Joined
- May 4, 2008
- Messages
- 1,251
Re: Anyone ever live in Japan
You really have separate the situations between, business and social. Customer and supplier. Individual meetings and those of a social nature where families are present.
My experience is if the wife and children are present, it is most often a very fun, pleasant situation. Japanese business men live double lives, with little or no crossover from the two. Almost two total different personalities in one person.
The Japanese have what are called “living treasures”. Artist supported by the government continuing culture traditions that would be lost without this support. Seek out and visit all of these that you can. They are wonderful. Everything from samurai swords, lacquer ware, paper makers, porcelain ...
You will be connected to the DOD, and as such most of your contacts with the Japanese will be of a unofficial diplomatic social nature. Social contacts have little to compare with business contacts with them.
You represent the American government, and America at the same time, not a independent business entity.
It is a problem I also see often here in Germany.
The DOD and those connected, expects me to react and behave as they are told to, when dealing with Germans, but I live and work entirely with them (Germans) and have a different role to fill. I am a independent business person, and have to communicate on a one on one basis with the locals. To follow the DOD doctrine, in my dealings with the locals, would be suicide for me, both privately and professionally.
You have the benefit of having the State Department to back you up, I don't. I have to fend for myself. Both have advantages and disadvantages.
Avoid at all cost discussions of a political nature! Don't let a smile, and friendly personality draw you in to saying more than you should.
There is a very active anti-American movement there, just as in Germany. They will if they can attempt to use you for their own purposes, just stay clear of them. Yesterday there were two bombs that were exploded close to a base there, and anti-American protest at some bases are a regular occurrence.
Don't worry though, the DOD will tell you everything you need to know and more.
Keep an open mind, be friendly, and I am sure it will be an experience you, and your family will never forget or regret.
You really have separate the situations between, business and social. Customer and supplier. Individual meetings and those of a social nature where families are present.
My experience is if the wife and children are present, it is most often a very fun, pleasant situation. Japanese business men live double lives, with little or no crossover from the two. Almost two total different personalities in one person.
The Japanese have what are called “living treasures”. Artist supported by the government continuing culture traditions that would be lost without this support. Seek out and visit all of these that you can. They are wonderful. Everything from samurai swords, lacquer ware, paper makers, porcelain ...
You will be connected to the DOD, and as such most of your contacts with the Japanese will be of a unofficial diplomatic social nature. Social contacts have little to compare with business contacts with them.
You represent the American government, and America at the same time, not a independent business entity.
It is a problem I also see often here in Germany.
The DOD and those connected, expects me to react and behave as they are told to, when dealing with Germans, but I live and work entirely with them (Germans) and have a different role to fill. I am a independent business person, and have to communicate on a one on one basis with the locals. To follow the DOD doctrine, in my dealings with the locals, would be suicide for me, both privately and professionally.
You have the benefit of having the State Department to back you up, I don't. I have to fend for myself. Both have advantages and disadvantages.
Avoid at all cost discussions of a political nature! Don't let a smile, and friendly personality draw you in to saying more than you should.
There is a very active anti-American movement there, just as in Germany. They will if they can attempt to use you for their own purposes, just stay clear of them. Yesterday there were two bombs that were exploded close to a base there, and anti-American protest at some bases are a regular occurrence.
Don't worry though, the DOD will tell you everything you need to know and more.
Keep an open mind, be friendly, and I am sure it will be an experience you, and your family will never forget or regret.
