日本 以客為尊ok?
Omotenashi: The Secrets of Japanese Hospitality
Written By Nienke Krook
You’ve probably heard about Japan’s superior customer service, even if you haven’t visited the country yet – and it’s true. No matter where you travel within Japan, the people are polite, your surroundings are clean, and, as a customer, you often feel like the most important person in the building. This is Japanese Omotenashi. And below, I’ll tell you more about it!
What is Omotenashi?
In 2020, Japan will host the Summer Olympics and the Paralympics and preparations are in full swing to make sure the country is ready to welcome guests from all over the world.
Christel Takigawa, the Tokyo 2020 Bid Ambassador presented an inspiring speech to the International Olympic Committee emphasizing the importance of ‘Omotenashi’ – the Japanese way of receiving guests.
You’ve probably heard about Japan’s superior customer service, even if you haven’t visited the country yet – and it’s true. No matter where you travel, the people are polite, your surroundings are clean and as a customer, you often feel like the most important person in the building.
Omotenashi is Japanese hospitality culture at its finest. ‘omote’ means public face (the image you wish to present to outsiders) and ‘nashi’ means nothing. Together, it combines to service that comes from the bottom of the heart – honest, no hiding, no pretending. The origin of this spirit lies in the Japanese tea ceremony, where the tea master faces the audience and makes tea right in front of them, open and clear.
The true meaning of omotenashi goes a lot deeper than just proving outstanding hospitality. Instead, the omotenashi meaning is about entertaining guests wholeheartedly.
It can be hard to describe in English, because it is something you have to experience in Japan for yourself. The concept goes beyond ‘the customer is always right’, instead it is more an understanding that there are no menial tasks if the result ensures a great experience for a guest.
Omotenashi: The Secrets of Japanese Hospitality || The Travel Tester
The Evolution of Omotenashi
While in theory Omotenashi sounds like the perfect way to treat guests and visitors to your country, over the years the attitudes and demographics of customers in Japan has changed.
⇾ THE TRAVEL TESTER TV ⇽
People have become more fond of their personal space and often want to just be left alone and undisturbed. Some of the ryokan (traditional Japanese inns) stopped lining up at the entrance to greet guests because they found out, from a survey, that it made their guests feel uncomfortable. They also stopped going into the rooms as often as they used to do when guests were dining to give them more privacy.
While I also appreciate my space and prefer to be left alone when dining or shopping, I did find the hospitality in Japanese culture comforting rather than pushy. I’ve been in many shops in Europe where staff either follows you around everywhere you go (probably just to check if you don’t steal anything) or is nowhere to be found, and that always makes me nervous, then angry and resulting in me leaving to never come back.
In Japan, however, I am welcomed into a shop without the expectation of me saying anything in return, I don’t have to worry about staff finishing their gossip about the weekend before helping me out, I don’t have to wait on waiters before finally being able to place my order or settle the bill… and then I’m not even expected to leave a tip!
拒絕機會
5 Reasons To Never Turn Down An Opportunity
by Paul Ferrante Lycoming College
Every single day, we make decisions based on certain factors that we can or cannot change. One day, I woke up immediately upset that I never studied abroad in Italy the summer before my senior year. I was accepted into a great program, and I was never able to go. I worked my butt off to be accepted into this program. I asked professors and faculty to write me recommendation letters, I focused on my academics promising the program I would have above a 3.0 semester average when I apply, I wrote letters and essays about why I should be accepted. And finally I was.
But, it came the time to send in my deposit and get money together. I started a Go Fund Me and many people helped me out for my deposit. I was finally going! I was going to see Italy. But then, it came towards the end of March and I needed to make that decision to go. My family would never speak to me about this, so I was completely lost. I was stressed and upset. I needed to focus on my academics but get all of this done. How could I concentrate. Then, I called my dad and spoke to him, and I just made the decision to not go.
I have never regretted anything more than I regretted making this decision.
Over the summer, I had a good internship through my school, but I could not help but think that I could have been in Italy right now. I would be in Florence, traveling to Venice, and eating pizza in Rome. I regretted that summer. I regretted saying no to this wonderful opportunity that I worked so hard to achieve.
From this, I try to tell myself to never miss another opportunity -- through money, my physical ailments, or the numbers that define me as a college student. I never want to repeat the past and miss out on new things. I am telling you to never miss out on your opportunities, no matter what may be thrown your way. The reasoning to miss may be logical, but don’t feel guilty about it; other opportunities will come, and when they do, take them and run, no matter what.
Don’t turn down an opportunity due to money
This is why I never went to Italy. I am not rich and I don't have $10,000 to spare. But I should have borrowed it in a loan. I should have worked harder to get that money and go. If you don’t have $10,000 in your back pocket, just borrow it. You're in debt anyway. I can't tell you how many people have said that to me, and I wish I had listened to them. Studying abroad, going to a better school, whatever you are currently facing as your dilemma, just do it. It has been a dream of mine to visit Italy, and now I may never have another opportunity to go.
Never use your relationship as an excuse
We all have a friend who has consistently put their relationship before anything else. I know, I’m single and I don’t know the relationship life, but if you have dreams and places to be, your significant other should be happy about it! I think the best relationships work out because both parties have an understanding of determination. I can't tell you how many friends I have seen put things aside because of their significant other. Please, never do that. If they are not happy for you or proud of how hard you worked, sorry to say, but they might not be worth your time.
Don’t let any physical ailments get in your way
I’m fat, but this hasn’t stopped me from applying for jobs or wanting to hop on a plane and fly to Italy. Yeah, I may need to purchase another seat next to me, but it’s worth the money. Don’t let your physical problems, whatever they may be, get in your way. There have been so many people, especially in my family, who have questioned my choices and have doubted my ability to get a job. My attitude is, no matter how I look or how much I weigh, or anything of the sorts, I will make it in my world. I need to put myself first and my happiness first. Don't let things like being fat weigh you down. You can do anything as long as you put your mind to it.
You have worked this far to reach this opportunity – don’t throw it away
Don’t ever do this. I worked my butt off to get into my program for Italy. I was under all the requirements: GPA, testing, classes, etc. I wrote more personal statements, I asked four professors and administrators to write me a letter of recommendation; and one day, I was accepted into the program. Meanwhile, a close friend who has a higher GPA was applying to the same program (for a different time) and was accepted. If you worked your butt off to make this opportunity work, don’t let it go, because you will feel guilty afterwards. This is my biggest regret. I put so much work and I just failed. And the sad part is, I worked my butt off for a number that has defined me as a person since Kindergarten. And I had so many difficulties because of it. Don't let these numbers define who you are. You can get through it. And don't let your opportunities be thrown away.
0 意見:
張貼留言