'Long vs Short Term Orientation -- Meri Obara'
I think that the Long vs Short Term Orientation of the six dimensions best illuminates the differences between Japanese culture and Kiwi culture.
According to the values for the 6 dimensions of The Culture Factor Group, the score of Long Term Orientation in Japan (100) is considerably higher than in New Zealand (55). It means the Japanese are Long Term Orientation culture, and Kiwis are relatively Short Term Orientation culture.
In my homestay, there is always a lot of uneaten food because my host sisters leave a lot of food on their plates. When I saw this situation for the first time, I was shocked and confused, because in my culture, it is not good to leave uneaten food. In Japan, parents, grandparents, or teachers strictly teach children to eat all their meals and raise them to be open-minded about food. However, my host parents don’t mind that my host sisters leave a lot of food on their plates, and they are even picky eaters.
Japanese people are intolerant of leaving uneaten food. I suppose that having the spirit of “Mottainai” is one of the reasons. “Mottainai” means wasteful, and this “Mottainai” has actually been used around the world as a common word.
I believe that this “Mottainai” is related to the high score of Long Term Orientation in Japan. From a long time ago, Japanese people have used things, money, resources, and energy carefully in order to use them for their whole life and remaining limited resources, and the mindset not to waste anything has been passed down through generations. The Japanese have that word—that is one reason Japan is a Long Term Oriented culture even now, especially they tend to save money for the future.
Mottainai Grandma
I have same experience in NZ. My host mother always says, " If you don't like these meals, you don't need to eat. Just throw them away." I was surprised and shocked when my host mother said.
ReplyDeleteIt's been a long since last time I saw Mottainai Grandma! It remaind me childhood memory and Japanese spirits which I am very proud of.
ReplyDeleteI'm proud of this 'Mottainai' culture. It is not related to the cultural dimensions, but I think this culture is also affected by the animism-like perspective in Japan.
ReplyDeleteInteresting post, Meri. I have also read that the Japanese households tend to save a higher proportion of their income compared to households in other countries. On the other hand, though, don't you think that valuable objects are sometimes discarded in Japan rather than being resold or given away. In general Japanese people don't really appreciate second hand goods. In contrast in New Zealand some people highly value clothing and other articles they buy from 'thrift shops.' I was shocked by some of the articles left out as 'sodai gomi' in Osaka and sometimes saved some of these articles from being destroyed & used them in my home. David :-)
ReplyDeleteHello, Meri, thank you for sharing this admirable idea of be concerned about food waste. I believe in Thai culture, we also have this similar thought that parents teach their children. Moreover, it is one of the best ways to teach children the value of their food.
ReplyDeleteI really liked your example about food waste. It clearly shows the difference between Japan and New Zealand. The idea of Mottainai is very interesting. I didn’t know it had a deep connection with long-term thinking. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteIt's very interesting because it's my first time to hear about 'Mottainai' culture.
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