Final Draft
Ask Questions
Last semester, on the first day of the class, I had something to do after classes. I talked to professor, “Hi, I am Emiko. Nice to meet you. I am from Japan. I am not good at speaking English. So maybe I ask you some help.” I repeated this sentence for each class. Professors kindly answer to me, “You are fine, tell me when you have questions.” Why did I so? I want them to remember me, a Japanese student who cannot understand the lecture perfectly and excuse me and give some accommodation such as extra time. This is what I intended first because of my action. However, my first impression as an English struggling student made a Microeconomics professor think “She will not answer the questions in the class, so let’s not ask her questions.” Thus, I had never been asked in the class.
What I want to mention here is not “He was worried too much. He should ask me some question and join me to the class.” I appreciate him, instead. You might take it for granted that you can and sometimes should ask questions during the lecture, but the participation style is not common in my home country, Japan. So, when I transferred to current college, I was surprised at student’s attitude and felt uncomfortable for that. When I was a university student in Japan, rarely students asked questions during the lecture and similarly professors didn’t expect to be asked. If I had a question, I asked after the class or visited his or her office personally. About participation point, attendance itself or reflection card was counted. It is not just in the university, and it is not lazy at all. From elementary school, we have been used to follow the style. I remember that I follow the style at least when I was fifth grade. Before the bell rings, you should sit your chair and wait a teacher. Then a person on duty the day says, “Rise, bow, be sheeted.” Once the class starts, you are busy to take a note. Both case when the teacher asked the opinion or answer to the question and you have question for the class, you need to raise your hands. If you are picked up by the teacher, you can speak. This communication style in a class lasts till university though the “Rise, bow, be sheeted.” call fades out gradually as you grow up.
You might realize our critical value that is in the background of this communication style in a class if you have any Japanese friend. We, Japanese have been told “Do not bother anyone.” since we are children. That is a main value shared in the society. So, for example, we try to keep common space clean. We think it is our responsibility to clean the space if we use it. In school, from elementary school to high school, a time to clean the class, restroom, passage is scheduled. The video below shows how children learn how to clean in school. I heard from one of my friend who visited Japan this winter that she was surprised at the very clean restroom. It is because of the Japanese users’ attitude who try to use it keeping clean even as customers. From the main value, we feel that to ask a question during the lecture is bothering the teacher and other students. Also, it be rude.
Here is another term to explain our main value. It is “Kuki wo yomu” in Japanese and “read the air” or “read the situation” in English if I try to translate. The concept is like this. Last year, you might talk about who will become new president of the U.S. in the class. You support Donald John Trump, but majority of the class support Hillary Rodham Clinton. After the class is divided to some group, you are asked to discuss about the topic and decide which applicant is better as new president. Of course, you have the right you insist your opinion and you try to persuade them, but you feel that other student will not change their status. So, you “read the air” and say, “Well… I think our conclusion is Hillary Rodham Clinton. Let’s think if she becomes new president, what will be happen...” without any vote. In your mind, you do not change your opinion, but as a member of the group, you act as you are preferred. Because it is said that Donald John Trump win the selection contrary to the expectation, it must have happened in the U.S. I am not sure how often American face to these situation, we face and value it a lot.
As another example, let us see the situation you will face when you make business trip to Japan. After you finished your work for the day, you are invited by your business partner to go drinking and you decide to go because it might be a good opportunity to get another business chance. You and four Japanese enter the Japanese style bar, izakaya and take a seat, then you are passed the drink menu. A staff comes to the seat and ask question “Are you ready to order?” The first person answered “beer.” The next person answered “beer.” Then the third and fourth person also answered “beer.” What is your best answer in this case? Yes, to answer “beer” if you can “read the air.” In fact, it is not sure if others want to drink beer or not. Others might want to drink cassis and orange or whisky and soda, however they order beer at first and this is common to start drinking in Japan. The reason why people order beer first is based on the “Do not bother anyone.” concept again here. To order same thing with others makes it easy to prepare for staff and that means all drink comes at the same time and everyone can starts drinking soon. If you order different thing, it means you bother others. Although you have own opinion, you choose something else to respect others and harmony. This is what we value in our society. We are also afraid to be looked as rude, a thoughtless person by others. This feeling is related to another Japanese unique value. It is called “Haji” in Japanese and translated “ashamed” in English. We are so sensitive to how we will be seen by others. In addition to the “Do not bother anyone.” that is explained by “read the air” concept, it is a core value that decide our way of behavior. Because Japan is a small island, has long history and less diversity, we have been required to be harmonized for long time. Although we don’t have a strict religion, the respect of harmony make our common sense and society to follow the rule.
Now new semester has already past two weeks. This semester, I didn’t repeat the sentence. I am trying to participate the class in American student’s way. As a Japanese who grew up in Japan for 23 years, I confess I still have a hesitation to ask question. However, I realized that I don’t have to be an American. I am Japanese. I believe I am worth to be here as a Japanese. An important thing is to know what is efficient in the culture with asking myself “How different from what I learned in Japan.”
Ask Questions
Last semester, on the first day of the class, I had something to do after classes. I talked to professor, “Hi, I am Emiko. Nice to meet you. I am from Japan. I am not good at speaking English. So maybe I ask you some help.” I repeated this sentence for each class. Professors kindly answer to me, “You are fine, tell me when you have questions.” Why did I so? I want them to remember me, a Japanese student who cannot understand the lecture perfectly and excuse me and give some accommodation such as extra time. This is what I intended first because of my action. However, my first impression as an English struggling student made a Microeconomics professor think “She will not answer the questions in the class, so let’s not ask her questions.” Thus, I had never been asked in the class.
What I want to mention here is not “He was worried too much. He should ask me some question and join me to the class.” I appreciate him, instead. You might take it for granted that you can and sometimes should ask questions during the lecture, but the participation style is not common in my home country, Japan. So, when I transferred to current college, I was surprised at student’s attitude and felt uncomfortable for that. When I was a university student in Japan, rarely students asked questions during the lecture and similarly professors didn’t expect to be asked. If I had a question, I asked after the class or visited his or her office personally. About participation point, attendance itself or reflection card was counted. It is not just in the university, and it is not lazy at all. From elementary school, we have been used to follow the style. I remember that I follow the style at least when I was fifth grade. Before the bell rings, you should sit your chair and wait a teacher. Then a person on duty the day says, “Rise, bow, be sheeted.” Once the class starts, you are busy to take a note. Both case when the teacher asked the opinion or answer to the question and you have question for the class, you need to raise your hands. If you are picked up by the teacher, you can speak. This communication style in a class lasts till university though the “Rise, bow, be sheeted.” call fades out gradually as you grow up.
You might realize our critical value that is in the background of this communication style in a class if you have any Japanese friend. We, Japanese have been told “Do not bother anyone.” since we are children. That is a main value shared in the society. So, for example, we try to keep common space clean. We think it is our responsibility to clean the space if we use it. In school, from elementary school to high school, a time to clean the class, restroom, passage is scheduled. The video below shows how children learn how to clean in school. I heard from one of my friend who visited Japan this winter that she was surprised at the very clean restroom. It is because of the Japanese users’ attitude who try to use it keeping clean even as customers. From the main value, we feel that to ask a question during the lecture is bothering the teacher and other students. Also, it be rude.
Here is another term to explain our main value. It is “Kuki wo yomu” in Japanese and “read the air” or “read the situation” in English if I try to translate. The concept is like this. Last year, you might talk about who will become new president of the U.S. in the class. You support Donald John Trump, but majority of the class support Hillary Rodham Clinton. After the class is divided to some group, you are asked to discuss about the topic and decide which applicant is better as new president. Of course, you have the right you insist your opinion and you try to persuade them, but you feel that other student will not change their status. So, you “read the air” and say, “Well… I think our conclusion is Hillary Rodham Clinton. Let’s think if she becomes new president, what will be happen...” without any vote. In your mind, you do not change your opinion, but as a member of the group, you act as you are preferred. Because it is said that Donald John Trump win the selection contrary to the expectation, it must have happened in the U.S. I am not sure how often American face to these situation, we face and value it a lot.
As another example, let us see the situation you will face when you make business trip to Japan. After you finished your work for the day, you are invited by your business partner to go drinking and you decide to go because it might be a good opportunity to get another business chance. You and four Japanese enter the Japanese style bar, izakaya and take a seat, then you are passed the drink menu. A staff comes to the seat and ask question “Are you ready to order?” The first person answered “beer.” The next person answered “beer.” Then the third and fourth person also answered “beer.” What is your best answer in this case? Yes, to answer “beer” if you can “read the air.” In fact, it is not sure if others want to drink beer or not. Others might want to drink cassis and orange or whisky and soda, however they order beer at first and this is common to start drinking in Japan. The reason why people order beer first is based on the “Do not bother anyone.” concept again here. To order same thing with others makes it easy to prepare for staff and that means all drink comes at the same time and everyone can starts drinking soon. If you order different thing, it means you bother others. Although you have own opinion, you choose something else to respect others and harmony. This is what we value in our society. We are also afraid to be looked as rude, a thoughtless person by others. This feeling is related to another Japanese unique value. It is called “Haji” in Japanese and translated “ashamed” in English. We are so sensitive to how we will be seen by others. In addition to the “Do not bother anyone.” that is explained by “read the air” concept, it is a core value that decide our way of behavior. Because Japan is a small island, has long history and less diversity, we have been required to be harmonized for long time. Although we don’t have a strict religion, the respect of harmony make our common sense and society to follow the rule.
Now new semester has already past two weeks. This semester, I didn’t repeat the sentence. I am trying to participate the class in American student’s way. As a Japanese who grew up in Japan for 23 years, I confess I still have a hesitation to ask question. However, I realized that I don’t have to be an American. I am Japanese. I believe I am worth to be here as a Japanese. An important thing is to know what is efficient in the culture with asking myself “How different from what I learned in Japan.”
Rough Draft
Ask Questions
Last semester, on the first day of the class, I had something to do after classes. I talked to professor, “Hi, I am Emiko. Nice to meet you. I am from Japan. I am not good at speaking English. So maybe I ask you some help.” I repeated this sentence for each class. Professors kindly answer to me, “You are fine, tell me when you have questions.” Why did I so? I want them to remember me, a Japanese student who cannot understand the lecture perfectly and excuse me and give some accommodation such as extra time. This is what I intended first because of my action. However, my first impression as an English struggling student made a Microeconomics professor think “She will not answer the questions in the class, so let’s not ask her questions.” Thus, I had never been asked in the class.
What I want to mention here is not “He was worried too much. He should ask me some question and join me to the class.” I appreciate him, instead. You might take it for granted that you can and sometimes should ask questions during the lecture, but the participation style is not common in my home country, Japan. So, when I transferred to current college, I was surprised at student’s attitude and felt uncomfortable for that. When I was a university student in Japan, rarely students asked questions during the lecture and similarly professors didn’t expect to be asked. If I had a question, I asked after the class or visited his or her office personally. About participation point, attendance itself or reflection card was counted. It is not just in the university, and it is not lazy at all. From elementary school, we have been used to follow the style. I remember that I follow the style at least when I was fifth grade. Before the bell rings, you should sit your chair and wait a teacher. Then a person on duty the day says, “Rise, bow, be seated.” Once the class starts, you are busy to take a note. Both case when the teacher asked the opinion or answer to the question and you have question for the class, you need to raise your hands. If you are picked up by the teacher, you can speak. This communication style in a class lasts till university though the “Rise, bow, be seated.” call fades out gradually as you grow up.
You might realize our critical value that is in the background of this communication style in a class if you have any Japanese friend. We, Japanese have been told “Do not bother anyone.” since we are children. That is a main value shared in the society. So, for example, we try to keep common space clean. We think it is our responsibility to clean the space if we use it. In school, from elementary school to high school, a time to clean the class, restroom, passage is scheduled. The link below shows how children learn how to clean in school. I heard from one of my friend who visited Japan this winter that she was surprised at the very clean restroom. It is because of the Japanese users’ attitude who try to use it keeping clean even as customers. From the main value, we feel that to ask a question during the lecture is bothering the teacher and other students. Also, it be rude.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jv4oNvxCY5k
Here is another term to explain our main value. It is “Kuki wo yomu” in Japanese and “read the air” or “read the situation” in English if I try to translate. The concept is like this. Last year, you might talk about who will become new president of the U.S. in the class. You support Donald John Trump, but majority of the class support Hillary Rodham Clinton. After the class is divided to some group, you are asked to discuss about the topic and decide which applicant is better as new president. Of course, you have the right you insist your opinion and you try to persuade them, but you feel that other student will not change their status. So, you “read the air” and say, “Well… I think our conclusion is Hillary Rodham Clinton. Let’s think if she becomes new president, what will be happen...” without any vote. In your mind, you do not change your opinion, but as a member of the group, you act as you are preferred. Because it is said that Donald John Trump win the selection contrary to the expectation, it must have happened in the U.S. I am not sure how often American face to these situation, we face and value it a lot.
In my case, that was happen last year when one of my friends got married and had reception party. She and I lived in the same dorm when I was a university student in Japan, but not so close friend. We just hang out once or twice for four years. Although I was glad when she invited me to her reception party, because I was here in the U.S, I declined the invitation. However, I was asked to join the video message for her by another friend who also lived with us. It was OK to join the video message, but at the same time I felt mixed feeling. Do we the same thing each time one of us get married? We had twelve members includes myself in the dorm. So, there are twelve times if all of us get married. It is doubtful if we can make a video message at same quality over the ten years, twenty years or more. If a video for one of us is low quality because of others already have a child, they need to care their parents, what does she think? Don’t you think she will be sad? As a conclusion, I wanted to decline the video, too, but I can’t. I read the air. I don’t want to butter their plan. I am also afraid to be looked as rude, a thoughtless person by other friends. This feeling is related Japanese unique value. It is called “Haji” in Japanese and translated “ashamed” in English. We are so sensitive to how we will be seen by others. In addition to the “Do not bother anyone.” that is explained by “read the air” concept, it is a core value that decide our way of behavior. Because Japan is a small island, has long history and less diversity, we have been required to be harmonized for long time. Although we don’t have a strict religion, the respect of harmony make our common sense and society to follow the rule.
Now new semester has already past two weeks. This semester, I didn’t repeat the sentence. I am trying to participate the class in American student’s way. As a Japanese who grew up in Japan for 23 years, I confess I still have a hesitation to ask question. However, I realized that I don’t have to be an American. I am Japanese. I believe I am worth to be here as a Japanese. An important thing is to know what is efficient in the culture with asking myself “How different from what I learned in Japan.”
Ask Questions
Last semester, on the first day of the class, I had something to do after classes. I talked to professor, “Hi, I am Emiko. Nice to meet you. I am from Japan. I am not good at speaking English. So maybe I ask you some help.” I repeated this sentence for each class. Professors kindly answer to me, “You are fine, tell me when you have questions.” Why did I so? I want them to remember me, a Japanese student who cannot understand the lecture perfectly and excuse me and give some accommodation such as extra time. This is what I intended first because of my action. However, my first impression as an English struggling student made a Microeconomics professor think “She will not answer the questions in the class, so let’s not ask her questions.” Thus, I had never been asked in the class.
What I want to mention here is not “He was worried too much. He should ask me some question and join me to the class.” I appreciate him, instead. You might take it for granted that you can and sometimes should ask questions during the lecture, but the participation style is not common in my home country, Japan. So, when I transferred to current college, I was surprised at student’s attitude and felt uncomfortable for that. When I was a university student in Japan, rarely students asked questions during the lecture and similarly professors didn’t expect to be asked. If I had a question, I asked after the class or visited his or her office personally. About participation point, attendance itself or reflection card was counted. It is not just in the university, and it is not lazy at all. From elementary school, we have been used to follow the style. I remember that I follow the style at least when I was fifth grade. Before the bell rings, you should sit your chair and wait a teacher. Then a person on duty the day says, “Rise, bow, be seated.” Once the class starts, you are busy to take a note. Both case when the teacher asked the opinion or answer to the question and you have question for the class, you need to raise your hands. If you are picked up by the teacher, you can speak. This communication style in a class lasts till university though the “Rise, bow, be seated.” call fades out gradually as you grow up.
You might realize our critical value that is in the background of this communication style in a class if you have any Japanese friend. We, Japanese have been told “Do not bother anyone.” since we are children. That is a main value shared in the society. So, for example, we try to keep common space clean. We think it is our responsibility to clean the space if we use it. In school, from elementary school to high school, a time to clean the class, restroom, passage is scheduled. The link below shows how children learn how to clean in school. I heard from one of my friend who visited Japan this winter that she was surprised at the very clean restroom. It is because of the Japanese users’ attitude who try to use it keeping clean even as customers. From the main value, we feel that to ask a question during the lecture is bothering the teacher and other students. Also, it be rude.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jv4oNvxCY5k
Here is another term to explain our main value. It is “Kuki wo yomu” in Japanese and “read the air” or “read the situation” in English if I try to translate. The concept is like this. Last year, you might talk about who will become new president of the U.S. in the class. You support Donald John Trump, but majority of the class support Hillary Rodham Clinton. After the class is divided to some group, you are asked to discuss about the topic and decide which applicant is better as new president. Of course, you have the right you insist your opinion and you try to persuade them, but you feel that other student will not change their status. So, you “read the air” and say, “Well… I think our conclusion is Hillary Rodham Clinton. Let’s think if she becomes new president, what will be happen...” without any vote. In your mind, you do not change your opinion, but as a member of the group, you act as you are preferred. Because it is said that Donald John Trump win the selection contrary to the expectation, it must have happened in the U.S. I am not sure how often American face to these situation, we face and value it a lot.
In my case, that was happen last year when one of my friends got married and had reception party. She and I lived in the same dorm when I was a university student in Japan, but not so close friend. We just hang out once or twice for four years. Although I was glad when she invited me to her reception party, because I was here in the U.S, I declined the invitation. However, I was asked to join the video message for her by another friend who also lived with us. It was OK to join the video message, but at the same time I felt mixed feeling. Do we the same thing each time one of us get married? We had twelve members includes myself in the dorm. So, there are twelve times if all of us get married. It is doubtful if we can make a video message at same quality over the ten years, twenty years or more. If a video for one of us is low quality because of others already have a child, they need to care their parents, what does she think? Don’t you think she will be sad? As a conclusion, I wanted to decline the video, too, but I can’t. I read the air. I don’t want to butter their plan. I am also afraid to be looked as rude, a thoughtless person by other friends. This feeling is related Japanese unique value. It is called “Haji” in Japanese and translated “ashamed” in English. We are so sensitive to how we will be seen by others. In addition to the “Do not bother anyone.” that is explained by “read the air” concept, it is a core value that decide our way of behavior. Because Japan is a small island, has long history and less diversity, we have been required to be harmonized for long time. Although we don’t have a strict religion, the respect of harmony make our common sense and society to follow the rule.
Now new semester has already past two weeks. This semester, I didn’t repeat the sentence. I am trying to participate the class in American student’s way. As a Japanese who grew up in Japan for 23 years, I confess I still have a hesitation to ask question. However, I realized that I don’t have to be an American. I am Japanese. I believe I am worth to be here as a Japanese. An important thing is to know what is efficient in the culture with asking myself “How different from what I learned in Japan.”
Assignment
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