store culture (Jee In Chung)

So have you wondered why every time you walk into any type of a store, either a restaurant or a clothing store, the store people won't stop saying "irashaimase”? At first, I didn't know why the store person was saying it every time a customer walks in or every once in a while because it made me feel uncomfortable. It was as if she wanted me to choose what I wanted to buy or leave the store immediately. Also, while you are just eye shopping, they will say something like "If you would like to try it on, please do not hesitate to ask" and I would just smile because I didn't know what else I could possibly do. After I got more used to living in Japan, I came to realize that Japan considers the Service sector very importantly and that there is a set of long tradition of store culture in Japan. Of course, it depends on what kind of store you go to but most of the times, it is considered that the "customer is the king" in the store. This expression is a bit of an extreme but it stays true in many stores in Japan.

For example, if you purchase a product at a well-known brand store, it will be beautifully wrapped and perfectly even if you tell them that the purchased product is for yourself, not for someone else. Once purchased good is wrapped, the store clerk will guide you all the way to the escalator and hand over the shopping bag. Then, she will bow 90 degree until she can no longer see you anymore. Such behavior can be seen not only when you purchase the product but also when you try on the clothes. Every time you come out of the fitting room, every single staff in the store will say "otsukaresamadeshita" which literally means "cheers for good work". The direct translation in English does seem a bit strange but basically, they are thanking you and congratulating you for trying on the clothes.

Many foreigners find that they feel pressured because of the extreme politeness in Japanese society and I sometimes feel the pressure as well but I think it's just something that you get used to after a while. Thanks to this culture, I find that it's easier for me to shop in Japan because store clerks in Japan tend me be more patient in listening to the requests of the shopper. I think it's a general characteristic that Japanese people have. They are extremely kind when I ask for directions on the street and some are actually sorry to not be able to help me out sometimes. In a busy city like Tokyo, this kind of reaction is not something that I was expecting.

Knowing English, I always felt that I would be able to communicate wherever I go without going through troubles but I realized that I was totally wrong when I came to Japan. It's very difficult to live in Japan without knowing the language and it is important that you have the motivation to learn the language while living here. Although, I am at a conversational level in Japanese, being able to read all the Kanji in public is another challenge. But it is for sure that Japanese people are more than willing to help you out even if you are just a stranger to them in stores or on the street. So don't be afraid and be bold!