~o 15

oooeoo

Drinking Workers

~~~

{\ Mark. a canadian software engineer, has been wortting in Tokyo for six months. His company, Intensa

Corp., is international, but most of the Tokyo staff is Japanese, including Mar1<.'s boss, Mr. Tanaka. He's
talking to his felterN wor1(er, Yosuke. As you read their conversation, think about this: How does Mark feel about
drinking with the other people who work in the same office?

Mark:
Yosuke:
Mark:
Yosuke:
Mar1<:
Yosuke:
Marl<:
Yosuke:
Marl<:
Yoouke:
Mark:
Yosuke:

Mark:

Hi, Yosuke, how's everything?

Hello, Mark. What's happening?
Oh, not much.
Are you okay these days? I'm a little worried
about you.
Why?
Well, you know, we all went drinking last night,
and you didn't join us, and I was wondering ...
Oh, that again.
Yes. We missed you.
Hmm. Did Mr. Tanaka say anything about my
not joining you?
Well, he did say he was worried about how you
were getting along ~h' everyone.
I was afraid of that. I think what he really means
is "Why won't Mark go drinking ~h us?"
Well, Mark, ~ is important. s part of the way
we do things here in Japan. And actually, we
hired' you because you speak Japanese and
you understand how we do things here.
I thought you hired me because I was a good

Yoouke:

Mark:

Yoouke:

Mark:

Yosuke:
Mark:
Yosuke:

engineer, not because I'm a gex>d drinker.

Well, you know what I mean. It's more than
that. Often we spend time talking about work
things... nothing official', but ~ helps when
we're all back at the office. It's part of getting
ahead.
Look, Yosuke, I understand, but I don't want to
be pressured'. I have to have a personal life.
I don't want to spend my free time that way.
But, Mark, that's the only way to get ahead'
here, Human relations are important jf you
want to succeed.
I don't believe that. I'll succeed w~h my abil~,
not by getting drunk' w~h my boss. II's
1
unprofessional ,
But, ~'s fun. We always have a great time, and
we all know each other really well now.
I know you guys have fun, but... II just seems
unprofessional to me.
Okay, well, I respect your opinion'. But I don't
think that's the way Mr. Tanaka sees ~.

t. wtry doesn't Marl< wanllo go dnnkrlg alter """""

_ __ _
2. wtry does Yosuke think rt's Important? _ _
_ _
_
3 What do you think Mr Tanal<a 5 gOlllg to do about Mar1<? . ..

_
__

_ _..
..

POinTS

O~ VltW

Read these three opinions.

_;co

Kojl

Mark shouldn". go oul drinking. His company shouldn'l

expect him to.

Ray

Mark is right. He'll get ahead by

being a good engineer.

Mark should go out drinking.

ICs

part of the culture.

Match the supporting statements with the opinions. Write the numbers in the boxes.
Each opinion has two supporting statements.

supporting statements
1
He's not trying hard enough

[0

understand Japanese culture.

An international company should

adapt

It's important to focus on your

priorities.

----_--/

10

its \\''Orkers.

He shouldn't insist on hiOi cultural

values.

5
Drinking has nOlhing 10 do
",llh engineering.

II's al.a)' if not e\'cryone doe the

same thing.

Now compare with a classmate.

Work in a group of three. Ask your partners:

Do you agree with Monica? Do you agree with Koji? Do you agree wfth Ray?
Answer lOt" each person: I really agree / I agree / I disagree / I really disagree.

'l/UAT AR' YOUR VALUU?

What advice would you give to MarK? Give your advice and your reasons.
Use new ideas in addition to the ideas above.
Advice

( (""<11ne !

["0.''''')

Now form groups and

discuss your advice and
reasons.

(ULTUR' SURHY
Here are some cuttural practices. If you were living in a different cufture, whtch ones wouki you adapt to?
Write a number (1=easy to adapt, 2-somewhat easy. 3=somewhat hard, 4=very hard to adapt)
........ singing karaoke (Japan)
........ eating dinner at 10 p.m. (Argenhna)
........ taking a siesta in tt1e afternoon (Spain)
........ wearing tiny bathing suits (Brazil)
........ giVing giflS for many social occasions (China)

Compare with a partner.

........ eating fast food (U.S.)

...... kissIng someone to say hello (France)

........ hugging someone to say goodbye (canada)
your Idea:
.