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Showing posts with the label Comics (Evacomics in Japan)

Comics: Usage of baby prams/strollers

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Not all the time, but sometimes!

Comics: Meaning of Sayonara

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Sayonara has a meaning of good bye and a sense of finality to it, so avoid using it with your clients!

Comics: Hiring married women

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I had a classmate in US who used to work at an automobile company but quit her job to pursue illustration. She was also divorced. Upon graduation, she told me that she did not want to return to Japan because she would be "too old" to get hired and cannot have a career in the new line. I remember she was only in her early 30s and I did not understand why. I, on the other hand, was keen to go Japan to work one day. Years passed and I eventually gotten my wish to go Japan. Not to work, but to study. I was glad that I was studying so I had time to make new friends and do sight-seeing for a few years. I later know about the working condition and female discrimination that made me stop day dreaming about working there. Despite Abe's urge for companies to employ more women, employers tend not to because they are afraid that the female employee will quit when she has a baby, which sadly happens in most cases. It could be because their parents stay too far and are unable to

Comics: Japanese Office Toilet

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I went to a Japanese company for an interview before I decided to leave Japan. When I went to the ladies toilet, I saw a nice wooden locker cabinet mounted on the wall with small compartments. I know Japanese are very particular about hygiene but to see a locker for toothbrushes and sanitary stuff is a whole new world for me...

Comics: Working Early in Vietnam

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I was surprised when my talk was supposed to start at 8am at the Law University! Little did I know companies usually start work at 7.30am, which means I would have to wake up at 5.30am... ...

Comics: Crossing the road in Vietnam

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Seriously there were no traffic rules in Ho Chi Minh City! Motorbikes can still dash the red light. My friend and I had to hold our hands tight or follow locals to cross the roads. Another friend of mine, who had experience working in China for a few years, was so terrified to cross the road that she had to take a cab to just reach the opposite street! (There will be 2 more comics about Vietnam for my Vietnamese fans, stay tuned!)

Comics: Job rotation

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Japanese companies do not let employees specialise in one skill but instead be a Jack of all trades. So even if the employee graduated from an engineering school, they will place him in sales. During promotion, they may even transfer a sales assistant manager to Human Resource!

Comics: Discussing with employees

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Although Japanese love to have meetings to gain a common consensus, they also may decide important things among themselves and simply let the employee know their final decision without discussing with them.

Comics: Getting New Namecards in Japan

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Based on my friends' real stories. Quite amazing that the CEO has to approve namecards too! No wonder there is a lot of overworking in Japan...

Comics: Why Japanese takes forever to decide

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This is based on true story from my Japanese friend, that they need meetings to discuss when to hold the next meeting! Consensus from everyone is important but this delays making decisions...

Singapore rubbish bins VS Japanese vending machines

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In Japan, a vending machine can appear anywhere, even at deserted places. Likewise in Singapore, you will find rubbish bins, everywhere!

Japanese smartphone camera shutter sound cannot be turned off

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People who bought iPhone in Japan will be disappointed that the camera shutter sound cannot be turned off even when the phone is set to silent mode. The reason behind this madness is because Japanese are very sensitive about people taking their photos secretly, so manufacturers are not allowed to let users take photos without shutter sound. Unfortunately, other smartphones also share the same fate but I heard that it can be resolved by downloading certain apps, which of course is a bit of a hassle. Besides that, Japanese phones are also locked to their service provider so you have to jailbreak them to use with another carrier or in another country. That is why many people buy iPhone in Singapore because it is not locked to another carrier and yes, camera shutter is turned off when the phone is in silent mode~

When Japanese Speak English

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Based on real story at a sushi restaurant...

The closer we get, the further we go

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When I was studying overseas, I skyped with my family every Sunday for an hour and we would talk about everything that is happening around us. When I was back once or twice a year during vacation, friends and family were also very enthusiastic to feed me with local dishes and catch up. But once I come back for good, things changed. Friends were no longer enthusiastic to meet up, since there is a lot of time anyway. There was also less interaction in the family. Perhaps being away for a long time sometimes is better?

Growing Up in Japan and Singapore

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In Japan, kids from young can go to school themselves and even help to buy groceries nearby. Many move out from home when they enter university to be closer to their schools. Of course, this is not *everyone*. On the other hand in Singapore, we are very pampered from young till married, not just staying with parents but also have clothes washed and meals cooked by mum.

Chicken Rice Stall in Japan VS Singapore

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I prefer the chicken rice in Singapore tho :) Support me at Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/evacomics

Odd English Usage in Japan: Free

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This is real story... I saw a FREE calendar at a stationery store... almost took it home:  http://store.ito-ya.co.jp/item/49963854969571.html  (It's more expensive than a calendar with designs)

Sitting Down in Trains

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Seats in Singapore are very competitive...

Japanese celebrates Christmas by eating KFC

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While foreigners were bewildered why Japanese celebrates Christmas by eating buckets of KFC chicken, Japanese were also surprised that the rest of the world doesn't do the same. This is the result of clever marketing from KFC Japan in the past that became an annual tradition. Please support me on Patreon ( https://www.patreon.com/evacomics ), where you get first look at my comic strips! Even $1/month is ok and you can stop subscription anytime! Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays everyone!

Tattoos in Japan

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If the tattoo is small, you can cover it with plaster before going into the public bath houses.