Everything is better in Japan!

That's according to my daughter, Michelle who accompanied me on my recent trip to Japan. All the air travel I've made over the last 2 years allowed me to earn enough Aeroplan miles to get tickets for Michelle and her boyfriend, Chris on this trip. By far this is the best business trip in recent months, not to mention I also made 2 people very happy. This is like the trip of a life time for them.

That's not all. I managed to upgrade to business class both ways. Ahhh ... the joy of travel by business class. More space, a fully reclining seat at the push of a button, your own menu for dinner and breakfast, bigger screen for your video on demand, and extra attention by the crew to make sure you're well looked after. With 11+ hours in the air, falling asleep isn't a problem in the comfy seat! It reminds me how much I missed my previous employer (PwC)'s travel policy of business class for any flight over 5 hours in the air, regardless of your position in the firm. We don't get that with my current employer's travel policy. No Siree! Unless you're an executive, the best you can hope for is a usable upgrade certificate from your frequent flyer program. You then pray that you'll get the upgrade. So, naturally, I consider myself very lucky on this trip!

We worked long hours as usual, but we also had time to relax. We stayed at the luxurious Hotel New Otani, right in the middle of downtown Tokyo. The hotel's Japanese Garden is simply breath taking. You almost forget that you're in downtown Tokyo. We did some shopping at Tokyo's electronics shopping area. On a Sunday, we visited some temples at the ancient town of Kamakura. The highlight of our visit was The Great Budda which was simply remarkable. The guided tour is conducted in Japanese so we kind of had to rely on the handouts in English. Duh!

There's so much we can learn from the Japanese. Their politeness can be quite overwhelming if you're not used to such hospitality. There's a staff standing virtually everywhere in the hotel lobby area greeting you with a smile and a bow, and providing directions or assistance. I don't think I've ever felt safer in any large city than in Tokyo. I mean you can walk just about anywhere in Tokyo feeling safe and secure. These guys don't chain their bicycles to a permanently stationed object like we do in North America. They put a lock on it and it just sits there in designated areas on the sidewalk. If you do the same in Toronto, I bet your bike will be gone within 30 seconds. Did you know they keep their vending machines outdoor? These things would've been vandalized in any city around the world. But not in Japan. It's a country of people with a culture of respect, trust, honour and integrity. On the flip side, you just never know if you should offer the handshake when introduced to somebody. Apparently it depends on whether or not the person you're greeting is someone with a position more senior than yours. Afterall, it's a hierarchical society in Japan. There are some seniors who have experience with Western cultures, will offer you the handshake anyway. I've learned that to play it safe, always bow only, and shake hands if the other person offers first.

Oh, while you're out in Tokyo, you better be prepared to pocket your own trash. There's hardly any garbage bin in public places. Yet the streets are incredibly clean. Japanese don't leave their trash around. They even take their own trash with them after a public event like a concert. Seriously, as my "kids" will tell you after they saw the Red Hot Chili Peppers concert in Tokyo (wow!). In North American cities, we pay people to clean up after us and our streets are still no where as clean as those in Tokyo.

As expected, communication is a challenge if you don't know the language. Well, their limited English is certainly a lot more than my Japanese. Being Oriental myself, it's understandable that the local people often assumed I spoke Japanese. Like my daughter said to me, how would she find me in a place full of "Asians". Finding places to eat is basically not a problem. Although Japanese food is just fine by me (where else can you find the best Sushi?), my colleagues and I did enjoy Indian food in Japan.

For all of you single guys, pay attention! There's plenty of beautiful Japanese women in Tokyo. As a matter of fact, Miss Japan recently won the Miss Universe 2007 title. Go Tokyo, young man! By the way, they eat horse meat too in Japan, and raw! I was told they serve it in thin slices like bacon. Yummy!

Perhaps Michelle is right. Everything is better in Japan! Well, it's back to North American reality for the moment before I head for Switzerland again.

Posted by Ba on Sunday 10 June 2007 - 12:11:04
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