Since returning back from Chicago, I’ve enjoyed (and in some cases, not enjoyed) working an eclectic mix of jobs, from various music ensembles, to advertising the JET Program at career fairs, to… *ugh*… office work.

Recently I gained temporary employment at a Japanese company in Chicago. While the work isn’t anywhere near my coziest cup of coffee to wake up to, the social dynamics in the office are interesting because they come as close to a typical Japanese office as one might be able to get in America. Out of 13 people or so, only my supervisor and I are American. Everyone else is Japanese, and they converse in Japanese, and they hold to what I believe to be the legendary Japanese work-ethic. No one leaves at their end-time and stay significantly longer, there is bowing, and there’s the intense and stiff air that says, “This is work.” While this aspect of Japanese culture has always fascinated me and left me somewhat in admiration, I cannot deny that being part of it has quickly become fatiguing and left me with a sore back throughout the day.

If this was in Bali, I’d certainly be hitting up those ’1hour under 20-dollar massages’…

Unfortunately, I’m not in Bali.