November 1st 2012 - Day 56

Today was a much greater improvement, and quite enjoyable in the end. Most of this was because this morning I was left alone (I know that sounds bad but let me finish) in order to do photoshop research. This was good because, as I think I've mentioned this before, I found it easier to just get on and learn what I needed to at a decent pace.

And for lunch two new people took me to an interesting place that reminded me strongly of an english pub crossed with a western saloon. I believe i've mentioned before that katsudon is my favourite Japanese food - well today I had tonkatsu (which is the katsu of katsudon) covered in melted cheese. In spite of how bad that sounds, it was actually really good. Who'd have guessed that?

The rest of the afternoon was divided between helping out with setting up a seminar room at the office like before, and finding a decent photo of a man online for a pamphlet - its amazing how after staring at pictures of men for 3 hours, woman become much more attractive.

Now I want to clarify something Today. There is a lot of rumour about prejudice towards foreigners in a Japanese work place, and the idea of bullying from sempai to kouhai (seniors to juniors). I think some of my previous posts may not have helped this point and made it sound like I'm suffering from some of this, but I want to assure everyone that all of the above is WRONG - I may not be able to say it right, but all the people in my office at amazing people, really kind and friendly, even the sempai in charge of me. I may not find his teaching style very helpful, but that doesn't mean I'm being bullied or anything like that.

As far as prejudice towards foreigners goes, that is basically non existent - most Japanese people haven't had a great deal of contact with foreigners, especially in the work place. Therefore they tend to make a lot of assumptions based on previous impressions i.e. if they've only met jerks before, they'll assume we're all jerks. But generally Japanese people are very open and trusting, and if you prove to them you aren't a jerk and respect their culture and difference, then they in turn will respect you and treat you as you deserve.