I’m very lucky! I work in a beauty college and get a free lunch as a perk. The lunchroom can sit only about 20 people (closely packed) and is available only for teachers. Students are responsible for their own meals, which many buy at the school store. My lunch is usually hot, includes all the regular Japanese lunch type accessories and did I mention its free!
However, all is not well in this oasis!
As an English Teacher I am apart from the requirements of the regular staff, I don’t need to get chopsticks for my superiors, nor do I have to spring-up and answer the phone when the intercom goes off. I, may sit and eat. Sometimes an older teacher will come amidst the feeding frenzy (younger teachers are expected to quickly imbibe their victuals, in order to make room for others) and briefly interrogate one of their assistants. Causing said assistant to abandon his or her hot lunch for a few minutes to take care of some vitally important task, for example, carrying some fake heads(used to put curlers in) down from or up to the classroom. Only to return for an equally short time to finish off their now cold lunch.
Sometimes a younger hungry teacher’s helper might mistakenly start his or her lunch before the more senior young assistant, and low an behold the indignant looks and questioning glances abound! It would seem that hierarchy is more important than camaraderie in the three person team of Teacher, Teacher’s Assistant and Helper. However in a similar situation in North America the less senior employee would calmly retort “I’m on my break.” Not in the hustle and bustle of Tokyo though.
Also unique is the phrase uttered when entering the lunchroom, “I have come to eat the provided lunch” or even more astonishing when a big-wig comes in to the lunch room, for he or she was too busy to take the earlier time allotted for them, and everyone (myself included) pipe up with “I have done the unforgivable, started to eat before you.” Having become used to these proceedings I deem myself past that fourth stage of culture shock, and am now ready to integrate.
You too, shall become accustomed to the customs!
thanks for reading
ian
