leave of heart-sense
I’m beginning to do a lot of learning about the Japanese culture lately. Obviously, this is mostly in preparation for my trip to Tokyo, but also because I want to learn like I always do about cultures I know little about. Never mind that I did actually take a full semester in the language and didn’t do too bad at all. Well, it was a “B+”, the only less than “A” grade I ever got in a language class. But that’s because I had a friend in there who never let me study… naturally I blame her. It was stupid, truly. I was like 20 and big into my Tekken 3 phase on Playstation. So you could imagine the wonder and awe that came upon me when I found out that “Mokujin” meant “man of wood”. (That may be the nerdiest reference on this blog EVER).
Anyhow, I recently came across an article that talked about the Japanese work culture, and how a certain Japanese marketing firm gave a “heartache leave” on Valentine’s Day.
Man, I really wish I had this for 3 or 4 Valentine’s Days in the past. I have this returning pattern of always ending relationships RIGHT before the worst spotlight on romance day historically. (Case in point - this year… again).
Tokyo-based Hime & Company, which also gives staff paid time off to hit the shops during sales season, says heartache leave allows staff to cry themselves out and return to work refreshed. “Not everyone needs to take maternity leave but with heartbreak, everyone needs time off, just like when you get sick,” CEO Miki Hiradate, whose company of six women markets cosmetics and other goods targeted for women, told Reuters by telephone.
It’s interesting that of all more traditional cultures, a place in Japan is less biased about singles. And even more to the point, they do this based on age and proportion the time accordingly.
Staff aged 24 years or younger can take one day off per year, while those between 25 and 29 can take two days off and those older can take three days off, the company said.
“Women in their 20s can find their next love quickly, but it’s tougher for women in their 30s, and their break-ups tend to be more serious,” Hiradate said.
Wait… why am I at work today? I could’ve cashed these days out EASILY.
Ni hao dude
Ok, enough on that post about my breakup. It’s over, like all good things I suppose. Off to more interesting news. Like how the OC is spreading.
Yeah, and I’m not talking about the show. Why the hell has this part of our culture gained popularity in China?
My favorite part has to be :
“Orange County has been the Detroit of the housing industry. It’s where a lot of new ideas have sprung from,” Bassenian said of such features as open floor plans, sprawling kitchens and soaring ceilings. “We export design.” Bassenian also had experience overseas, working on projects in Indonesia, Thailand and Japan. China, however, offered a wider cultural divide. “We live better than they do. . . . They want that. . . . The dream as represented in a California house is infectious,” Bassenian said. “It’s a huge leap forward.”
You know, I used to live near Detroit, in a little armpit town called Bay City. Our only claim to fame was that Madonna was from there. And she wisened up as soon as she could too… and bailed ASAP.
I wonder what the Chino, China looks like? Ryan’s gotta be from the hood somewhere.
PS: Thanks Jaymie for the link.
waiting on parts
Oh man, you have no idea how much I had to think about this post in advance before deciding to commit writing it. You see, I’m worried. I’m worried that somehow, the things I’m about to write will come out looking like some sort of quasi-Sex in the City chick jibber that will scare people off. And the thing is , after all, I don’t mind those type of blogs. In fact, I secretly obsess reading them. But for here, for the context of this space, I need to confine these thoughts to some sort of cultural baring.
Ok, here goes…
My robot heart is broken, but don’t worry, I sent out for a new one. I just broke up. Well, we broke up, you can’t really do it alone. And while I normally NEVER like talking about these types of personal topics on here, I have to mention this for the reason that some of my friends gave me freakishly parallel advice in its outcome.
“Don’t date American, you need someone more like you.”
I hate this idea. I hate the idea that I can’t be a counterpart to any breed, culture, or color. But why is it that I have this sense that there might be some truth to this.
So my French friend told me to date only French or British, my Hispanic friend simply used the term “brown boys”, my mother insisted that I should lean more torwards Europeans or other Middle Easteners, and one of my brothers suggested straight Iranian.
I don’t think we can really judge what our type is. I really got along fantastically with the last boyfriend, and I know he did with me. But things come to an end as life moves forward. However, I do notice I connect on different levels with people of similar heritage.
The irony of course, is that I really can’t stand other Iranians from LA. Note that I said “from LA”, real Iranians are fine. And don’t get me wrong, I do know a few great LA Iranians too, it’s just that the majority of the crowd doesn’t suit my style.
Ok, I’m going to stop over analyzing. I think I just need to date another robot.
PS: Thanks to the incredible group of family and friends I have. You’re so awesomely nurturing, I almost start to think I date to entertain you.
experiment
This is my friend Jaymie. Well, he’s the one in the middle. It’s impossible to get a single photo of him that he’s not destroying with some shitface grin.
He’s running an experiment. One might say a fashion experiment. Jaymie is trying to document how many wearable-in-public t-shirts he can go through before he has to repeat. He’s on day number 25.
You can follow Jaymie’s adventure on his flickr stream. I’m telling you, they’re not all winners either.
dollartrash
Well, it’s official, our US dollar is worthless.
In New York City this week, people are spotting “Euros Accepted” signs everywhere. I’m beginning to think I should just take over blue jeans to Europe as tender for my next visit.
source: www.xe.com
making it count
Reasons to vote:
- you want change
- you want status quo to continue
- you want to verify your citizenship
- all your cool and politically hip buddies will taunt you if you don’t
- these are rights you didn’t have in the old country
- it gives you the right to bitch about what goes on if your candidate didn’t win
- “I voted” sticker flickr moments
Reasons not to vote:
- you’re not a citizen
- you’re a douchebag
also shown here.
Friday lazy but funny
Some of you will love this and die of laughter like when I first saw it. It’s reminiscent of a zillion Iranian weddings I’ve been forced to attend growing up where I’d shudder from embarrassment at the thought of any American friends witnessing my horrid culture. The rest of you (the white ones, you know who you are) just won’t be that affected. Sorry, you’re missing out.
[youtube p60epED5WDQ]
thanks to Mr. Anonymous who sent it to me but would prefer to remain nameless.
