|
This week's posts took me from the pages of a Japanese detective novel, to lessons in cross-cultural communication, and finally to one of Japan's most enduring everyday mysteries. While the topics couldn't be more different, they all share a common theme: the danger of assuming we already understand what's happening. On Monday, I wrote about being thoroughly outsmarted by Malice by Keigo Higashino. After years of reading detective fiction, I thought I knew the patterns well enough to stay one step ahead of the story. Instead, the novel repeatedly challenged my assumptions, forcing me to reconsider not only what had happened, but why. What struck me most was how the mystery ultimately became less about solving a crime and more about understanding human motivation, perception, and the ease with which we can misread other people. On Wednesday, I reflected on one of the most valuable lessons I learned while living and working in Japan: the power of listening. Early in my career, I sometimes interpreted silence as disengagement. Over time, I came to appreciate that what appeared to be silence was often careful observation, reflection, and active listening. That lesson continues to influence my work today, particularly when helping Japanese and U.S. teams navigate cultural differences. Many misunderstandings arise not from disagreement, but from assumptions about what other people are thinking or communicating. For Fun Friday, I explored a lighter example of differing perspectives: the great escalator divide between Tokyo and Osaka. In Tokyo, people generally stand on the left and walk on the right. In Osaka, it's the opposite. Despite decades of travel between Japan's two largest urban regions, neither practice has displaced the other. The origins remain surprisingly unclear, with theories ranging from samurai-era customs to the influence of the 1970 Osaka Expo. Whatever the explanation, it's a small but fascinating reminder that regional identities often persist in unexpected ways. Looking back, all three posts revolve around the same idea: we rarely have the full picture. Whether we're reading a mystery novel, participating in a workplace discussion, or observing a local custom, our first interpretation isn't always the right one. Taking the time to look beyond our initial assumptions often leads to a deeper understanding of people, situations, and cultures. Thank you, as always, for reading. Warmly,
Saskia
|
