The simple answer is, they do not care.
Let us take, for example, a company. If an employee were to see a better way to do some job then wouldn't it be a good idea if there is an environment within that company that allows that employee to speak up and make it noticed to the upper-management that maybe she/he (the employee) has discovered a better way for that company to serve its customers?
Now, if you have a company that is so locked into following rules that an employee feels it is unwise to offer an idea on how that company can better do its job, then I think you have a company that is going to stagnate, like a tree that receives no water, and die.
The same is true for a nation of citizens that are so afraid to try to voice concerns about bad rules --- it is a nation that is stagnate and we have seen over and over through the ages that nations that become stagnate, because of fear within the citizenry, wither away.
We're all in this together, and I probably only catch about 20% of the mistakes I make! Not everyone appreciates having theirs pointed out, thanks for being a good sport!I am absolutely tickled pink that you pointed out that error! Really. Thank you. Honestly speaking, I am surprised I made that mistake, as I tend to be careful times 3 about using at least one language properly. I guess this age thing is for real!! Or that is just a convenient excuse for old-fashioned stupidity!!!
I hate to agree with this but it's totally true. We'd all like to think that the organization's goal is to improve its systems and become more efficient and serve its customers/constituents better, but that's just us projecting our own values and desires. The organization itself has no such ambitions, because it's a collection of self-serving individuals; unless they can all agree on a common goal, and--perhaps more importantly--a vision for how to achieve that goal, changing from an existing process that is even remotely functional is nearly impossible. I experienced this in both the public and private sector; it takes a perfect cocktail of understanding, research, deliberation, will, leadership, persuasion, consensus, and a clear path forward... then maintaining that will and energy while the change is implemented and proven to be effective. Even then there will still be naysayers and hold-outs; I'm exhausted just thinking about it!The simple answer is, they do not care.
defending rules for the sake of being rules to me is a repugnant way to arrange your society.
Hmm, it probably does. Are you interpreting my criticism of this rule and my support for the #kutoo movement as an indictment of Japan as a whole?Do you not think that your statement sounds judgmental?
Japan is a rule based group culture and that is how they want it and until the education
system changes, there is little chance it will change any time soon.
In your zeal for Japan's rule-based...ness, you neglected to mention what you thought of this high-heel issue. Do you think it's necessary and appropriate to allow companies to force their female employees to wear uncomfortable footwear all day?
That doesn't answer his question. Do you think it's necessary and appropriate to allow companies to force their female employees to wear high heels?
Because you refuse to take a stance on this issue and instead talking about change in general, the only way to interpret your view, currently, is that you are opposed to all change, regardless of whether it's good or bad. As such, I am currently forced to believe that 20 years ago, when asbestos was still used in Japan (it wasn't banned until 2006), you would be right at the side of the asbestos industry, against those suffering from asbestosis and mesothelioma. Similarly, I am also forced to believe that you are opposed to any effort to reduce smoking, for instance.
I don't actually believe that is your position, but you are forcing me to assume that is your position by standing against a ban on high heels requirements while refusing to express support for those high heels requirements.
If you support forcing women, and only women, to wear a certain type of shoe (high heels) that causes deformities, swelling, and long-term pain, then it would be nice to actually have a discussion / debate regarding that, rather than beating around the bush. If we did have that discussion.
I would personally be very interested in also debating the topic of sex-assigned dress codes period, which I briefly mentioned in my first post on this thread.
Rules are indeed valuable, when they sensibly and humanely contribute to the greater good. Ignoring medical and safety concerns isn't very conducive to the greater good.But Japan is a rule based group culture and that is some thing I prefer and value.
The purpose of minimums is to protect employees from unsafe or unhealthy practices. Setting the minimums below that line doesn't make any sense.The labor standards law sets minimums.
These Japanese women and their male supporters on this issue are trying to get them changed, which is obviously within their right. I don't get why you oppose their efforts here. I don't get why you think it's your place to oppose their efforts. You say in one sentence that you're neutral on the issue, but it actually sounds like you think these women's valid grievance should be ignored for the sake of ossified status quo.Have you ever tried getting them changed?
Its not part of the culture to change things, as the education systems main focus is to turn
out an obedient workforce that accepts everything and questions nothing.
And Yes I do have children in the education system.
When one says that workers should either agree to these kinds of requirements or leave, it puts the job market at odds with safety and medical wellness.Well this is Japan and as such rules are rules and if that means wearing shoes you do not like
and or feel uncomfortable, you either accept it or change your job.
What also has to be considered is that when these women applied for the job, they were fully
aware of the work wear requirements.
Apparently not, because these Japanese people are questioning this.My understanding of Japanese culture is that they accept everything and question nothing
Is that an evolution, or a devolution? If life's goal is to avoid all stress, society wouldn't enjoy the progress that comes from identifying deficiencies and improving them. There's of course a balance to be struck, but avoiding reasonable change for the sake of today being just like yesterday doesn't strike a good balance in this situation.I have past the discussion debate regarding these matters, its less stressful.
This isn't about women dressing like men, so put that strawman away. They simply want the option to choose whether the shoes they walk in all day have heels. I'm quite sure it'll have no effect on the dating market, except that women who are concerned about their safety and medical wellness will be spared men who don't respect that.I do not think many men would be attracted to a woman that basically looks like a man
Suicide won't help, either, so I'd like to tell a personal anecdote: the fact that none of my workplaces have ever had sex-assigned dress codes was a contributing factor to saving my life. Gender dysphoria is very distressing, and transitioning is very hard. That little bit of stability, not having to fight with my employer over how I dressed, was a big help.I will offer up my opinion on this, if we all looked the same and wear the same cloths, how do you feel it will affect
the population, I do not think many men would be attracted to a woman that basically looks like a man, as you may
or may not know the population is already falling in Japan and gender equality and sex-assigned dress codes will
not help the problem.
My understanding of Japanese culture is that they accept everything and question nothing, which is exactly how I handle these matters, much less stressful and results in a much more rewarding life.
Try asking a peacock to change its dress code, think about it, its part of nature and part of life and the survival of the species.
Could you please, jt9258, be more specific as to who "they" represents in that statement I have quoted?
I'd sure like to be taught how I can communicate with a peacock. And I can assure anyone that teaches me how to communicate with a peacock that I would have a much better set of questions prepared for a peacock than asking the peacock about the color and pattern of its feathers.
This is the problem I see: you're still arguing over a point that no one ever disagreed with you on (your claim that change is unlikely because of how Japan is), rather than responding to the actual points the rest of us are raising. This discussion is never going to go anywhere meaningful as long as you continue to do this.
Are you sure? AFAICT no native Japanese people are contributing to this topic at all. That's always seemed more typical to me.Now you know what its like trying to discuss this kind of matter with a Japanese person
Isn't that a contradiction?it will change
nothing, because wile change may come in the future it will be a very very very very slow process
I lived in Japan for nine years, continue to watch Japan from where I am now, and plan to return to Japan soon.I notice that both Vincent3 and Julie.chan do not live in Japan.
This and the first quote come across as deflections, and not very expensive ones. The point about the heels-required issue has been amply made, so I'd rather post in other threads.And the students in the Japanese school system do not shoot each other.
Are you sure? AFAICT no native Japanese people are contributing to this topic at all. That's always seemed more typical to me.
Isn't that a contradiction?
I lived in Japan for nine years, continue to watch Japan from where I am now, and plan to return to Japan soon.
Relevance?
Haha I'm not that pedantic! I end sentences with prepositions all the time and most of my sentences are probably longer than they ought to be, so I probably shouldn't cast stones about grammar--so long as the meaning is clear.(And how about that one Cool Gaikokujin? Two sentences in a row starting with "But".)