Last week I met a gentleman Mr. Srinivasan who had worked in Japan for few years, During the conversation, he started describing few cultural shocks (positive though!) of living and working in Japan.
He narrated this incidence to illustrate Japanese work culture and sensitivity to time.
During his early days, for a discussion, he was supposed to meet a client at 11 am in the morning. So he arrived at the meeting place at 10.40 am i.e 20 mts early. The client arrived at 10. 50am (10 mts before the meeting) and straight came and apologized to Mr. Srinivasan saying sorry.
Mr. Srinivasan was stunned and surprised. He found that the reason for the apology was - the client came little later than Mr. Srinivasan - though well before the scheduled time. After few months into his career in Japan, he realized that this is work culture at Japan. That is – first, you arrive well before time for all meetings, rain or shine and second if you come after other participants, you apologize to them for arriving later than those who made it earlier.
This is in stark contrast to what we do in India – when you arrive late for a meeting….join the meeting as if nothing has happened and also feel proud that you are like a minister or Rajinikanth joining after every one has arrived. (Rajini says in one of the movies – even if I come late, I will be latest !).
Last minute leaves, leaves without any planning, arriving late for meetings or not attending the meeting at all – these are very common in Indian workplaces and especially in small organizations.
I too had an opportunity to live in Japan and work for a Japanese client. In the initial days, I was surprised to see all Japanese colleagues who leave the office in the evening, before me, would come up to me and say “Osaki-ni shitsureishimasu”. Later I found that the meaning of this phrase is “excuse me, sorry for leaving earlier than you”. Mind it, they may be leaving well after office hours, but still showing respect and apologizing to those who still work. In reply you should say “Otsu-kare-sama-des ” i.e Good work, you must be tiered and please go ahead.
In India, culture and timeliness are only for temples, churches or mosques. Poojas at temple happen as scheduled and people do namaas at pre-defined times and Sunday prayers start in time at churches. There is no flexi time concept for these !
Work places in India struggle with policies and guidelines to adhere to certain common ways of working. Whatever work culture that is prevalent in Indian workplaces is not because of self-spirt or what is self-evolved but more an adherence to policies and guidelines.
We import I-Phones, intel chips and petroleum. It is time we import some time sensitiveness for workplace as well.