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.
Tagged as love, philosophy and religion, regions, work + Categorized as love and lust, non-American culture, work