3 Things I Learned In Japan

Have you ever experienced a place that left a strong impact on you? My wife and I recently took our honeymoon to Japan, and this place really surprised me. First, I feel incredibly lucky to fly anywhere in this world, esp with everything else going on around it, it makes me feel incredibly thankful, to always give, and be open to learning. I wanted to take some time after our honeymoon to reflect on what I learned.?

Top 3 things I learned in Japan:?

1. Respect?
2. Design?
3. Quality?

1-Respect- I absolutely love these people, they look you in the eye, they actually SEE you as a person. They are aware of others around them in pretty much any situation. Riding on the subway is such an easy way to see it, or even waiting in a long line or at a crosswalk people give space. Even when someone is rude to them, they remain calm, they don’t react…gosh that is such a skill in itself. They always say thank you, they love that you try to speak their language to say thank you.?

When we took off from Tokyo to Vietnam, the entire boarding crew from inside the airport, came outside, about 8 of them, then waved for 4 minutes nonstop until the plane was out of sight…I felt so honored and respected.?

When we left some of the sushi spots, the sushi chef came out and bowed and thanked us, you could feel how sincere he was in his bow/thank you. It didn’t matter who I was or where I was from…the only thing that mattered was being respectful.?

What I Learned…is to see others and treat them with respect, esp people in the service industry. It saddens me that people in the USA think the world revolves around them and not their own community. Act like this is the last meal you eat, say thank you, act like this is the last flight you will take, say thank you…it goes such a long way! Clean up after yourself and leave things better than you found them. Japanese athletes/fans clean up their sections after a match and it makes the news…why is that news and not just semi common occurrence? Tell the employee who had to tolerate BS from a rude person, that “it’s ok- that person must be going through something else; that it has nothing to do with you”, be respectful…or just crack a joke…or give them the warmest smile you can!?

2-Design: I absolutely love they design for visually impaired people, in sidewalk design and audio design to help them move around…it’s an easy thing to overlook. I heard some birds chirping in the subway, yet I didn’t see any, when I googled it, it was to let impaired/limited people know a stairwell is near, to have caution. Every time I took the train and heard the birds, it made me smile, it reminded me of how lucky I am. The physical environment was also enhanced. I googled to see how Japan did this “tactile paving” on the sidewalks and it was invented by Miyake Seiichi, who funded tactile paving himself to help his friend who lost his sight, in 1967…what an amazing friend! Be that kind of friend, design like that, live like that. This one honestly touched me. CLOSE your eyes, just imagine this world (TRY IT NOW FOR 10 SECONDS), imagine how hard it would be, imagine having a friend like Miyake who helps you in ways others will never see, experience, or feel, be that friend. For the lucky people who see, the train/subway experience is incredible, they have powerful design everywhere. There are clear markings on the ground, ceiling, and screens. Each train has screens that are specific to that train car, showing where the stairs, elevator, transfers, and anything else are…for that train car…not the entire train…because the design was thoughtful to the experience.?

What I Learned…design in a way that can be bigger than yourself, that creates a united world, that can bring total strangers together. Design a way for others with a disadvantage to have the same joy you GET TO have on a regular basis. Bring delight to your design, throw people off the typical patterns we draw, get them to shake their inner snow globe, and try to bring back that childlike wonder we lose as we get older. There is a whole world to help but start with the people closest to you and the local ones in your community. I think design is bigger than just something you see; it can be an experience or a moment you create for someone.?

Design can also be giving, in words, in experience, with your time, money or effort. Give and DO NOT TELL ANYONE…do it because it will be something only you will know…and only you can feel…tell no one and just help. Start close to home and if you can, help outside your circle/community. Design is about being thoughtful in the experience, just take extra time to put yourself in others shoes, see how you can delight them, see how you can save them time, the world’s most important resource.?

3. Quality: The food quality in Japan is very high, even at a 7-11 or convenience store, they take pride in it! They stress quality over quantity, which shows in the food but also in the bodies of the people of Japan, who are all mostly fit. The products they use to build are also higher quality, when you walk into a restaurant, they definitely put more work into it (most places, not all). The train system has quality built into the tracks, engines, and how it utilizes the electric grid.?

What I Learned…is to look for quality food and take pride in what you put into your body. Japan bans certain mainstream USA foods it classifies as cancer-causing. Many people (esp in the USA) face challenges related to obesity, and it can have a significant impact on their lives. It makes me sad to see so many people be seemingly helpless, blaming others, blaming society…all while some of them doom-scroll on their phone with Instagram/Facebook for hours each day. I don’t want to sound overly harsh here; WE are our biggest obstacles and I’ve certainly had/have my own challenges, but changing my mentality just a little bit each day helps me move forward, not back, quality movements are so important.

October is world mental health month, are you investing in your quality of health? I did only a few years back (at a heavy low in my life) and it was the best investment I ever made. We only get one life, make the most of it, face your challenges, sometimes, the obstacle is the way! You Got This!?

All this to say, Thank You, Japan! With Love- “The Greens”!?