JAPANESE ARUARU
When a Japanese colleague returns from a holiday, small sweets may appear on the desks of overseas coworkers. Two neighbors notice matching wrappers and turn them over to inspect them. The traveler is back, but the sweets are still touring the office.
You go to discard a misprint, but a Japanese colleague turns it over: “This side still works.” A few sheets become a small memo pad. On the back of today’s notes, yesterday’s finished documents are still at work.
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A Japanese coworker may open with “Sorry,” using it like sumimasen to get a colleague’s attention. The colleague looks up: “What happened?” All they need is to borrow a pen, but first comes the explanation that nothing has happened.
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A Japanese business contact may arrange the cards they receive in the order people are seated. When a colleague abroad moves to the next chair, a card on the table moves too. The people change seats, and the little paper seating plan follows.
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Invited to sit, Japanese coworkers may glance at one another and pause. Their colleague abroad has already taken a seat, while the other chairs are pulled out one by one. There is a place for everyone. The seating order just has not quite been settled.
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A colleague abroad asks what a sweet from their Japanese coworker tastes like. The answer may take a moment: “It is made with beans, but it is sweet…” Meanwhile, the colleague takes a bite. The snack has finished introducing itself before the explanation has.
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A Japanese coworker may repeat the month and day when arranging a date. Their colleague abroad repeats the numbers back, then points at a calendar. After several trips through the conversation, the two numbers finally settle into one square.
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When rain greets the end of the day, a Japanese coworker may pull out a folding umbrella. A colleague steps closer to share it, then sees how small it opens. First they look at the sky, then the umbrella. Suddenly, the walking distance needs discussing.
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Japanese coworkers may keep nodding through an explanation, then go quiet at a question. Their colleague abroad checks the screen: the nodding continues. The connection is working. It is just the reply that has yet to arrive.
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At a meeting, a Japanese colleague may reach for a cup, glance at the person opposite and pull back. Their colleague abroad pauses too. The conversation is already underway. Only the coffee is still waiting for someone to start.
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Asked for lunch ideas by a Japanese coworker, a colleague abroad may suggest a few places—and find themselves comparing photos and menus. Distance, portions, yesterday’s lunch. The morning meeting is over, but the lunch discussion still has an open agenda.
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Japanese coworkers may shuffle toward the edges when a group photo is being taken. Through the camera, their colleague abroad sees a gap right in the middle. Everyone is here, but the picture seems to be expecting one more person.
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On meeting a Japanese business contact, both people may offer their cards at the same moment. While they arrange a free hand to receive one, the two cards wait in midair. Before learning each other’s names, there is a small question of whose hand goes first.
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