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.
JAPANESE ARUARU
The Other Side
Workplace ARUARU — More ARUARU
Before the Request
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 Place at the Table
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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The Meeting Room
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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The Snack Label
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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The Calendar Check
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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The Shared Umbrella
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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The Silent Audience
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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The First Sip
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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The Lunch Meeting
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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A Little More Space
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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The Paper Exchange
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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The Quiet Exit
A Japanese colleague may say goodbye at each nearby desk on the way out. An overseas coworker looks up and finds the person they just waved off only two desks farther along. The exit is close; the farewell route has several stops.
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