Hi! It’s Sensei.
Today, let’s talk about something more important than studying Japanese or learning technical skills.
It’s the “4 Promises for Working with Japanese People.”
Among the trainees I’ve seen whose work wasn’t going well, all of them were failing at these points.
On the other hand, if you follow these, your seniors (Senpai) will help you even if your Japanese isn’t great.
Promise 1: Clicking your tongue (Tsk!) is strictly forbidden
This is the most dangerous one. You must never do it.
In your country, you might make a “Tsk” sound when you make a mistake to mean “Oh no” or “That’s too bad.”
However, in Japan, it means “I hate you” or “Shut up.”
Even if you “click your tongue (Shitauchi / 舌打ち)” just because you’re disappointed in yourself,
your Japanese senior will get furious, thinking “What’s with that attitude! Are you complaining to me?!”
In Japan, you must never make that “Tsk” sound under any circumstances. This is an ironclad rule.
Promise 2: Reply to LINE messages “Instantly”
When you get a LINE message from the president (Shacho) or a senior, when do you reply?
Do you think “I’ll reply later” and just leave them on read (Kidoku Suru)?
Japanese people think “Speed of reply” = “Motivation.”
You don’t need difficult Japanese. Whether it’s just one sticker or a simple “Understood!”, make it a habit to reply the moment you see it (Soku-resu / 即レス).
Promise 3: Do not lie (Do not hide mistakes)
When you break something at work or make a mistake, do you stay silent because you’re afraid of being scolded, or say “It wasn’t me”?
What Japanese people hate most is not the “failure” itself. It’s “Lies (Uso / 嘘)”.
They will forgive a failure if you apologize, but a person who lies will never be trusted again.
If you make a mistake, report it as fast as possible: “Sumimasen! Shippai shimashita! (I’m sorry! I made a mistake!)”
The sooner you say it, the easier it is to fix, and you will be valued as an honest person.
Promise 4: Greet others “yourself” with a loud voice
When you arrive at the site in the morning, are you waiting for your senior to notice you?
Are you looking down and saying “Good morning” in a tiny voice?
In greetings (Aisatsu / 挨拶), the person who says it first wins.
Just by saying “Ohayou gozaimasu!” in a loud voice, the atmosphere of the site becomes brighter, and you will leave a great impression.
Summary: Your “Heart” is more important than skills
You don’t need special technical skills to follow these four rules, right?
But trainees who can do this are loved wherever they go, with people saying “That person is a great guy.”
When work gets tough, remember these four promises.
