June 2, 2025
The Reality of Japanese Workplace Environments
Let’s say you took a few days of paid leave to go on vacation in Hawaii. When you return to the office, your conversation with a colleague might go something like this:
Colleague: “How was Hawaii?”
You: “The sky was a perfect sapphire blue and the sea was crystal clear. Putting it mildly, it was the best vacation of my life ever.”
However in Japan, things work a bit differently. Using paid leave means your coworkers have to cover your workload while you’re away, so it’s common to feel apologetic for the extra burden you’ve placed on them. For that reason, it’s not mandatory—but often appreciated—to bring back a box of sweets or other small souvenirs as a thank-you (or apology) to the people who filled in for you. (Because of cultural differences, foreigners in Japan aren’t usually expected to follow this custom so rigorously.)
In practice, even if your Hawaiian getaway was amazing, the chat with your Japanese colleague might actually go more like this:
Colleague: “How was Hawaii?”
You: “The hotel was jam-packed, and getting to the beach was a nightmare because the traffic snarl was going nowhere fast. Oh man, it was rough. I’m totally wiped out...”
This modest, problem-focused exchange is a typical example of workplace banter in Japan.
The Reality of Japanese Workplace Environments
Let’s say you took a few days of paid leave to go on vacation in Hawaii.
When you return to the office, your conversation with a colleague might go something like this:
¶
Colleague: “How was Hawaii?”
¶
You: “The sky was a perfect sapphire blue and the sea was crystal clear. Putting it mildly, it was the best vacation of my life.”
The phrase “the best vacation of my life ever” is redundant. “Of my life” already implies the superlative, so removing “ever” makes the sentence more natural.
Putting it mildly, it was the best vacation of my life ever.”
¶However, in Japan, things work a bit differently.
A comma was added after “However” in the next sentence because it is an introductory adverb, and proper punctuation makes the sentence smoother to read.
Using paid leave means your coworkers have to cover your workload while you’re away, so it’s common to feel apologetic for the extra burden you’ve placed on them.
For that reason, it’s not mandatory—but often appreciated—to bring back a box of sweets or other small souvenirs as a thank-you (or apology) to the peoplfor those who filled in for you.
The phrase “to the people who filled in for you” was adjusted to “for those who filled in for you” to make it more concise and formal. Both are grammatically correct, but the revision sounds more natural in written English.
(Because of cultural differences, foreigners in Japan aren’t usually expected to follow this custom so rigorously.)
In practice, even if your Hawaiian getaway was amazing, the chat with your Japanese colleague might actually go more like this:
¶
Colleague: “How was Hawaii?”
¶
You: “The hotel was jam-packed, and getting to the beach was a nightmare because the traffic snarljam was going nowhere fast. Oh man, it was rough. I’m totally wiped out...”
“traffic snarl” was replaced with “traffic jam” because “traffic jam” is far more commonly used and easily understood by most readers.
I’m totally wiped out...”
¶This modest, problem-focused exchange is a typical example of workplace banter in Japan.
Feedback
This was a really thoughtful and well-organized post! You did a great job of introducing a cultural difference in a way that felt natural and engaging to read. I only made a few small tweaks to help the language flow more smoothly. Honestly, your writing is already strong, and with just a bit more practice, it’ll become even more fluid and confident. Keep up the great work!
とてもよく考えられた、読みやすい投稿でした！日本と他国の職場文化の違いを、自然な流れで紹介していてとても興味深かったです。修正点はほんの少しで、文章をもう少し滑らかにするための軽い改善だけでした。すでにしっかりとした文章力があるので、自信を持って大丈夫ですよ。この調子で書き続ければ、さらに自然な表現ができるようになると思います。これからも頑張ってくださいね！
June 3, 2025
Thank you so much for your encouraging words and for taking the time to make those tweaks. I really appreciate the feedback. I’ll keep practicing to make my writing even more fluid. Thanks again for your support!
The Reality of Japanese Workplace Environments
Let’s say you took a few days of paid leave to go on vacation in Hawaii.
When you return to the office, your conversation with a colleague might go something like this:
¶
Colleague: “How was Hawaii?”
¶
You: “The sky was a perfect sapphire blue, and the sea was crystal clear. To put it mildly, it was the best vacation of my life ever.”
Putting it mildly, it was the best vacation of my life ever.”
¶However, in Japan, things work a bit differently.
UsingWhen you use paid leave means, your coworkers have to cover your workload while you’re away, so it’s common to feel apologetic for the extra burden you’ve placed on them.
For that reason, it’s not mandatory—but often appreciated—to bring back a box of sweets or other small souvenirs as a thank-you, (or apology), to the people who filled in for you.
(Because of cultural differences, foreigners in Japan aren’t usually expected to follow this custom so rigorously.)
In practice, even if your Hawaiian getaway was amazing, the chat with your Japanese colleague might actually go more like this:
¶
Colleague: “How was Hawaii?”
¶
You: “The hotel was jam-packed, and getting to the beach was a nightmare because the traffic snarljam was going nowhere fast. Oh man, it was rough. I’m totally wiped out...”
I’m totally wiped out...”
¶This modest, problem-focused exchange is a typical example of workplace banter in Japan.
June 3, 2025
Thank you for your corrections!
Putting it mildly, it was the best vacation of my life ever.”
¶
However in Japan, things work a bit differently.
I think there's definitely some cultural differences amongst English speakers on this one too. I think Americans would say something like this, but in Ireland, such a high level of positivity might be taken to be insincere.
For that reason, it’s not mandatory—but often appreciated—to bring back a box of sweets or other small souvenirs as a thank-you (or apology) to the people who filled in for you.
Bringing back snacks is definitely a thing here too.
Feedback
I couldn't find much to correct in this piece, it's pretty good.
June 3, 2025
Thank you for your feedback! I find the differences between the US and Ireland very interesting.
The Reality of Japanese Workplace Environments
Let’s say you took a few days of paid leave to go on vacation in Hawaii.
When you return to the office, your conversation with a colleague might go something like this: Colleague: “How was Hawaii?” You: “The sky was a perfect sapphire blue and the sea was crystal clear.
Putting it mildly, it was the best vacation of my life ever.” However in Japan, things work a bit differently.
Using paid leave means your coworkers have to cover your workload while you’re away, so it’s common to feel apologetic for the extra burden you’ve placed on them.
For that reason, it’s not mandatory—but often appreciated—to bring back a box of sweets or other small souvenirs as a thank-you (or apology) to the people who filled in for you.
(Because of cultural differences, foreigners in Japan aren’t usually expected to follow this custom so rigorously.)
In practice, even if your Hawaiian getaway was amazing, the chat with your Japanese colleague might actually go more like this: Colleague: “How was Hawaii?” You: “The hotel was jam-packed, and getting to the beach was a nightmare because the traffic snarl was going nowhere fast.
Oh man, it was rough.
I’m totally wiped out...” This modest, problem-focused exchange is a typical example of workplace banter in Japan.
Feedback
At that point, I imagine people would be disincentivised from taking paid leaves altogether.
June 3, 2025
That might be true. Indeed, if it’s a workplace where it’s hard to take paid leave, it really puts a burden on employees.
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The Reality of Japanese Workplace Environments This sentence has been marked as perfect! This sentence has been marked as perfect! This sentence has been marked as perfect! |
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Let’s say you took a few days of paid leave to go on vacation in Hawaii. This sentence has been marked as perfect! This sentence has been marked as perfect! This sentence has been marked as perfect! |
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When you return to the office, your conversation with a colleague might go something like this: Colleague: “How was Hawaii?” You: “The sky was a perfect sapphire blue and the sea was crystal clear. This sentence has been marked as perfect! When you return to the office, your conversation with a colleague might go something like this: When you return to the office, your conversation with a colleague might go something like this: The phrase “the best vacation of my life ever” is redundant. “Of my life” already implies the superlative, so removing “ever” makes the sentence more natural. |
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Putting it mildly, it was the best vacation of my life ever.” However in Japan, things work a bit differently. This sentence has been marked as perfect! Putting it mildly, it was the best vacation of my life ever.” I think there's definitely some cultural differences amongst English speakers on this one too. I think Americans would say something like this, but in Ireland, such a high level of positivity might be taken to be insincere.
A comma was added after “However” in the next sentence because it is an introductory adverb, and proper punctuation makes the sentence smoother to read. |
|
Using paid leave means your coworkers have to cover your workload while you’re away, so it’s common to feel apologetic for the extra burden you’ve placed on them. This sentence has been marked as perfect!
This sentence has been marked as perfect! |
|
Oh man, it was rough. This sentence has been marked as perfect! |
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For that reason, it’s not mandatory—but often appreciated—to bring back a box of sweets or other small souvenirs as a thank-you (or apology) to the people who filled in for you. This sentence has been marked as perfect! For that reason, it’s not mandatory—but often appreciated—to bring back a box of sweets or other small souvenirs as a thank-you (or apology) to the people who filled in for you. Bringing back snacks is definitely a thing here too. For that reason, it’s not mandatory—but often appreciated—to bring back a box of sweets or other small souvenirs as a thank-you, For that reason, it’s not mandatory—but often appreciated—to bring back a box of sweets or other small souvenirs as a thank-you (or apology) The phrase “to the people who filled in for you” was adjusted to “for those who filled in for you” to make it more concise and formal. Both are grammatically correct, but the revision sounds more natural in written English. |
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(Because of cultural differences, foreigners in Japan aren’t usually expected to follow this custom so rigorously.) This sentence has been marked as perfect!
This sentence has been marked as perfect! |
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In practice, even if your Hawaiian getaway was amazing, the chat with your Japanese colleague might actually go more like this: Colleague: “How was Hawaii?” You: “The hotel was jam-packed, and getting to the beach was a nightmare because the traffic snarl was going nowhere fast. This sentence has been marked as perfect! In practice, even if your Hawaiian getaway was amazing, the chat with your Japanese colleague might actually go more like this: In practice, even if your Hawaiian getaway was amazing, the chat with your Japanese colleague might actually go more like this: “traffic snarl” was replaced with “traffic jam” because “traffic jam” is far more commonly used and easily understood by most readers. |
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I’m totally wiped out...” This modest, problem-focused exchange is a typical example of workplace banter in Japan. This sentence has been marked as perfect!
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