Helping prepare members of my organization to move to a different culture is one of those areas in which personal and organizational decisions overlap (Course reading, p. 87).
As they prepare for moving into Japanese culture, our new expatriates will have quite a few things to get used to. For example, when they are eating out at a noodle restaurant, or are at a business meal that features noodles, they might think that eating quietly is the right form of etiquette. However, eating loudly – and even slurping your noodles – is seen as a sign that you have enjoyed your meal and want to thank your host (Thrastardottir, 2015). If your worker’s family is invited to someone else’s house, that is a sign of honor. While bringing a host gift is an option in the United States, it is an expectation in Japan, and the wrapping on the gift should be ornate, complete with decorative ribbons (Thrastardottir, 2015).
However, as the kids go off to school, they might be used to walking and eating, particularly if they are running slow getting ready for the day. However, in Japan, it’s considered sloppy to eat and walk at the same time – unless you’re eating an ice cream cone. Failing to fit in is hard on kids anywhere, so you want to make sure your employees’ kids are aware of what is – and what is not – acceptable. When they take their new housing, they will want to choose options that work the best with the schooling environment that is best for their children. Helping your employees work their way through this process can ease the stress that comes with moving overseas and maximize their productivity in the workplace.
References
Thrastardottir, A. (2015). 11 Japanese customs that are shocking to foreign travelers. Business
Insider 18 February 2015. http://www.businessinsider.com/japanese-customs-that-are-shocking-to-foreign-travelers-2015-2
