The thing I like about Japanese customer service culture is that, if e.g. a cafe serves breakfast until 11:00 AM, and you ask them at 10:59 AM whether they will make breakfast, this is a silly question. Of course they will. The thing I hate most is when you ask at 11:01 AM.
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And you could write a Russian novel about the despair I have when someone says “Hang on, wait a minute, you still clearly have eggs in the fridge and a pan which is still warm. Why can’t you serve the eggs you were prepared to serve 63 seconds ago?!”
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With exceptions, this generalizes to a whole host of interactions where there is any sort of clear rule book to follow. The rules brook no argument. And if there is no rule book, or (worse) your situation isn’t in the rule book, getting it done is extraordinarily complex.
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Replying to @patio11
A Japanese-speaking friend told me that the phrase normally translated into English as 'follow the rules' is actually 'defend the rules' in Japanese!
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Replying to @dohertym12 @patio11
Once arrived to check-in to a hotel in Kyoto at 2:45pm. Check-in time was 3pm. Check-in clerk politely told me to take a seat in the lobby. At 3pm exactly there was suddenly a line of 18 people waiting to check in
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Replying to @dohertym12
My wife (Japanese) is always scandalized by this in US hotels. “How are we going to kill 4 hours until check-in?” “Oh I’m just going to ask if they have inventory. If they do we get in immediately.” “What?” “Check-in time is more a suggestion than a rule, esp re: loyalty members”
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And conversely: “We’re here to check-in.” “We don’t have a room ready for you.” “... WHAT?” “The room is not ready.” “How is the room not ready?!? You are a hotel. We have a reservation. You have ONE JOB.”
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Replying to @patio11


the trick is learning not to get upset ! I'm still learning!!0 replies 0 retweets 0 likesThanks. Twitter will use this to make your timeline better. UndoUndo
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