Greatest Culture of All???

Everytime I make a trip to overseas, no matter what, no matter how, I'd always find something rather interesting or shocking in the nation I visited.
I have been on my job for a good 8 1/2 years. Some people say it's been too long, some people say it's a waste of career opportunity, while some people envy me. Frankly, I don't really know what to think of the job I am in. It is rather devastating that I have never made any career advances during all this time. However, I have learned that career joy is what I choose to believe in. Success & achievement is how you grade it. People may be judgemental, but my life belongs to me.
I, after all, did not waste my life away.


I just came back from Osaka, Japan.
Japan, as many know, has always been the most successful nation in the world for a long long time. And, being there so many times, I have always understand the reason.
Everything about it is ever intrigueing. I love to shop in Japan. It's pretty silly to do only that when the country itself has so much to offer. Of course, I will never fail to enjoy gastronomy of Japan. The Japanese take pride in everything that they do, from serving food to providing accomodation and merchandises.
They, as we all known, were the only nation that provide staff to operate the lift in every departmental store, along with all the announcement(I don't understand a single word) & the bow (sometimes to 90º low) when all the customers jolly well knoe how to operate the lift.
And when you purchase something, every item is carefully wrapped & tied with the most beautiful packages that you may see in your life. When it's food item, sometimes, I do feel 'too sayang' to open up & eat it. When it's a consumer product, I feel 'too sayang' to throw away the packages after opening them. AFter all, they were made with care & pride.

I normally go out alone whenever I can. I can look & shop for as slow as I can. Walk however far my feet may take me.
In their culture, there is always bowing & constant responses, be it you the customer or the staff. I normally try to dress to the style of the nation & I get assimilated qutie easily (since I was alone) as I would bow like how they do to me. I would think it to be rude if they display such polite grace & I ignore it all. The only thing I can't do is to reply to all their "How may I help you? or What are you looking for? or perhaps #$%)O(I^(*&^% ??"

I have trouble finding products & places at times, I tried to ask strangers on the road, but it is very tough to get through to them is I speak regular English or if it is any term they are nor familiar with. But what impresses me the most is, although they couldn't describe it, they would seek every help they can or take me (personally) to the location I'm looking for. I asked an executive about Sogo, he walked me there. I asked Takashimaya, the young lady patiently walked me there. It may be near, it may be on their way, but remember, their pace of life is also very fast.
In our culture, some may say (Chinese has such saying), "You think I so free ah? Bring you there?!!??"

I was looking for this specific rum raisin biscuit of ROYAL brand. The pastry staff understood nut what I was trying to describe. She directed me to the information (walked me there) and would not leave my side until I permitted her to. And the information counter, the size of a working table, has at least 3 staff to help. When they couldn't understand me, they try ask another staff who may speak English better. Wow.. they never give up.
And the next lady, still try very hard to understand my point. I still did not find what I was looking for. Not because they couldn't understand me, but because indeed the specific brand is impossible.

After all the shopping, time to go back. I bought my ticket & went to the right platform. #2. I was shocked by the crowd. I simply stand waiting. But after 1min (good thing only 1 min!!!), I realized there is a formation in waiting for the train. They queue!!! 2 by 2, at each door of e train car. I can't see the indication, but heck, just followed the crowd.
I am so amazed. Where else in the world, have we seen such civilization?
My train arrived, I boarded. THen I noticed another: Each alternate queue line entered the train, while the rest waited again. THere is another train (to out-of-town) & they were another queue. Errr... luckily I went into the right queue (Phew!)

We were always to queue when entering public transport & to give up seats for the needy ones. But do we really practice as taught? Giving up seats is simple, as this is personal virtue. But queueing up still depend on public responses.

This is just a shopping trip. But it sure is an eye opening experience. A sight seeing trip indeed.