IT Interview

I've heard this story many times, the dispirited American tech trainer tries in vain to engage a roomful of stoic Japanese engineers then watches in bewilderment when, as soon as class disengages, those same engineers become animated with the kind of bluster you find in any IT room in the world. An important purpose of this banter is to signal and scrutinize each other's level of expertise like dial-up modems attempting to arrive at a mutually compatible speed with which to communicate. A component of discovery, i.e. evaluating each other's expertise level, exists to some extent within the communication of every domain, but it comprises a larger share and thus is more overt in the information technology field. Unfortunately, there seems to be no universal protocol recognized worldwide for this important component of technical conversations, no IEEE standard for geek BS. Japanese engineers use a synchronous discourse comprised of carefully crafted questions designed to trap the poser in a corner. Americans, on the other hand, converse asynchronously, unremittingly broadcasting their bravado. Stereotypes such as the belligerent arrogance of the French, the servile arrogance of Indians, the incessant banalities of Americans, are all manifestations of our incompatible local protocols, and the primary reason for mutual incredulity between engineers from disparate cultures.

Starboofed

Before I ever went to Japan I read in a guide book that it is considered extremely insulting, especially around the Tokyo area, to count the change a sales clerk gives back. After living in Japan for eleven years I would like to modify that advice.

When making a purchase in Japan, it is extremely important to count the change you receive because:
a) Contrary to their own opinions of themselves, honest Japanese are no more adept at making change.
b) Especially around Tokyo, many clerks seem skilled in the art of short-changing their customers.

I drink coffee, no sissy lattes. And black, no cream or nuthin. When I first came back from Japan and started attending morning Starbuck lines, I assumed that if the barista failed to ask "room for cream?" the default would be to fill the cup to the top. I soon learned that customers must be pro-active in their order instructions for "No room for cream." Even that does not guarantee that your coffee will not start out an inch below the brim, no matter how loud and clear you make the "NO". So now after being handed my paper cup, regardless of how long the line behind me, I always rip off the lid and do not hesitate to ask for all the coffee I paid for.

A Place At The Table

I lived in Japan for 11 years, working as a network/qa engineer for Reuters. Non-British gaijins congregated at one particular table in the lunch room. I was welcome at the table because everyone knew I wasn't British since 'bullocks' was not in my vocabulary. They were just as certain that I was Canadian because I had a beard and was too quite to be an American. So I got to hear many extremely derogatory remarks about the British (to which I eagerly contributed) and Americans (of which I quietly noted). And this was during the Clinton era.

Q: How many Americans does it take to change a light bulb?
A: None because the market will take care of it.

Oni Wa Soto

I can't believe it's another Setsubun already. Which means tomorrow morning I will be spending a great deal of effort scraping smashed beans from the sidewalk because the soy beans sold here don't bake to the same crispy orbs that can be readily swept up. Fortunately my neighbor is a mellow musician who doesn't let smashed soy beans under his toes spoil his day. Unless he still harbors resentment over my failure to be here when the FedEx guy delivered his ominously big box.

Wong Kar-What?

My first introduction to a non-Jackie Chan Hong Kong movie was "Fallen Angels" by Wong Kar-Wai. The release of this movie was very big in Japan. Part of the reason was Japanese/Taiwanese actor Takeshi Kaneshiro who was already popular in Japan. This movie pushed him beyond heart-throb status and immediately after this movie came out he probably worked on more Japanese than Chinese projects.

I didn't see the movie in theaters and couldn't rent it until demand subsided several months after its video release. I must have watched it at least five times in a row the first day I finally got a copy. In contrast to Jackie Chan movies, Wong Kar-Wai's work is not easily understood, with or without comprehensible subtitles. There is a scene where after a kill the hitman, Leon Lai, gets on a bus and is recognized by an old high school acquaintance who proceeds to try to sell him a life insurance policy. This scene with its juxtoposition of exhilerating violence followed by the extremely mundane is often mentioned in reviews. However, I don't believe the realism and beauty of the images can be appreciated to the same extent as someone experiencing his daily environment unable to comprehend surrounding conversations. Trying to decipher the dialogue in this movie was the same experience I felt trying to make sense of that morning's subway ride to Tokyo Station.

Of the two trailers, I think the Japanese version gives the impression of a movie with more substance, something beyond a violent thrill ride. Is that just a choice of music or a better sequencing of images.

Japanese Trailer


Chinese/English Trailer

Incomprehensible Bliss

I started watching Hong Kong films in Japan shown with Japanese subtitles. Which is the best way to watch the movies. Unless you can read Japanese.

Jackie Chan movies, especially, are much more entertaining when the dialogue is in Chinese and you are not distracted by a comprehensible translation. The plot, even the jokes, are just as easy to follow. However, the script is not covered with the same patina of lameness that tends to tarnish Jackie Chan movies when shown in the U.S.

Mizu Mushi dot com

Anyone hoping to name the next big internet thing "mizumushi.com" is too late. Bayer AG is already using the name for a website promoting their latest athletes foot medicine. German companies shouldn't own Japanese words.