I may have commented on this topic previously, so I'll offer a different angle this time.
While all of this sounds quite annoying, it does offer the workers a responsibility-free work environment, even if it's taken to extreme lengths. In western societies, it is always expected that the professionals offer fast quality service promptly. I find these kinds of expectations slightly problematic, because you can't and shouldn't rush certain things.
And then there are times, when even professionals are dumbfounded. In my country, it's not desirable to tell that to the customer, because they will change the service provider without a second thought. Senior workers even teach this to newer workers. A question rises; is this kind of dishonesty acceptable?
In my mind, there are only different approaches. Japan's approach is not all that terrible, because at least they're being careful.
Could they be more efficient? Probably. But what problems does it cause to the customer, other than loss of time and patience?
I know for a fact that there are lots of people all over the world, who could learn to be a bit more patient. But time is money, and any loss of money is considered a failure.
Oh well. There are good sides and bad sides to everything, I suppose.
zclyenthusiast
2021-12-21 12:44:54 +0000 UTC
Hey, I only know these things because I make these mistakes. TODAY, I lost my cool and got loud. Big mistake. This place wears you down, sometimes.
TheJapanChannel.com
2021-10-23 06:44:43 +0000 UTC
I wouldn't last. Hate to say it man, but I don't think I would be able to endure under those conditions. We would all like to think that we could live in Japan, but this might be a circumstance that would send me packing. You have often said that people come to Japan with the expectation of starting a life, but then are gone in 6 months. I'm starting to get the picture.
Credit to you for getting used to it. Most Westerners just want to get sh!t done. And fast. We expect quick service. This kind of time-consuming/time-wasting business is out of the realm of our experience. If any store clerk or professional wasted our time in this manner... Well THESE days it would mean bad reviews!
I had one experience at a post office when trying to mail something home on holiday that sent me back to my hotel to remove several MILLIMETERS of packing tape which had rendered the package too long. Lots of canting of heads, and sucking of teeth. I remembered your words and chose to remain calm and smile and bow while in the post office, but mumbled and grumbled under my breath, all the way back to my hotel to remove the offending millimeters of packing tape. I then returned to the post office a half hour later and my package was gladly accepted.
That was ONE of these experiences, and it almost sucked the life out of me. Naw... I can't. I wouldn't last under those circumstances. A MONTH for plumbing..? (There's no way...)