Last Office Day of 05, First Office Day of 06
The last working day of the 2005 was a busy one. Everyone rushed to finish cleaning, re-arranging and thanking each other for their help and efforts during the year. KIt was a record sales year. There was a lot of bowing going on all around. We also had a visit by the President of the company and by the Senior VP of our division. It sure made for a busy day. At 3:30 pm a last meeting of the year was called for our entire floor (around 90 people). The meeting consisted of thank-yous from the Senior VP and division managers. Then they broke out the beer, wine, whiskey, Japanese shochu, and snacks. It was time for everyone to toast each other, relax a little, and then head home for the break. The office was officially closed for 6 days.
The first day back in the office was also quite busy. People ran around all morning saying their New Year’s greetings to each other. It’s kind of complex. People say them to managers, managers say them to their troops and other managers, and people visit other divisions that they work with, and so on. Then the top bosses come around and say them to the managers and workers. All these greetings include a lot of bowing. In our group we must have stood up, bowed, muttered our responses, and sat down at least 20 times during the first 30 minutes of work. It was good exercise. Once everyone finished running around and greeting each other, it was time to sit down and get to work until lunch time.
At lunch time, all employees from the Tokyo office headed over to a nearby hotel for speeches by the company President, Senior VP of our division, and some others. After standing for about 1 hour, the speeches were done and we were asked to step out of the banquet room while they readied it for lunch. Once we re-entered the banquet room, we were treated to beer, whiskey, lots of sushi, and other foods. The lunch started with the compulsory ‘kanpai’ toast. After standing around for about 1 1/2 hours eating, continuing New Year’s greetings and bowing, we were free to go home. The New Year has now officially started.
The first day back in the office was also quite busy. People ran around all morning saying their New Year’s greetings to each other. It’s kind of complex. People say them to managers, managers say them to their troops and other managers, and people visit other divisions that they work with, and so on. Then the top bosses come around and say them to the managers and workers. All these greetings include a lot of bowing. In our group we must have stood up, bowed, muttered our responses, and sat down at least 20 times during the first 30 minutes of work. It was good exercise. Once everyone finished running around and greeting each other, it was time to sit down and get to work until lunch time.
At lunch time, all employees from the Tokyo office headed over to a nearby hotel for speeches by the company President, Senior VP of our division, and some others. After standing for about 1 hour, the speeches were done and we were asked to step out of the banquet room while they readied it for lunch. Once we re-entered the banquet room, we were treated to beer, whiskey, lots of sushi, and other foods. The lunch started with the compulsory ‘kanpai’ toast. After standing around for about 1 1/2 hours eating, continuing New Year’s greetings and bowing, we were free to go home. The New Year has now officially started.
posted by Terry & Mio @ 3:23 PM
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