One of my most enjoyable classes is with a small group of advanced English students at a Kobe company called Mistuboshi Belting. The group really has fun together – always smiling, good attitude, and supportive of the other members that may have lower ability.
After class last night we all went out to an izakaya for dinner and drinks, and got to know each other better. Unlike in the classroom the conversations were in both Japanese and English, and as usual the more people drank the less English was spoken. I had a great time.
During the dinner I asked them about something at their company that had always puzzled me. When I go into the building after passing security, there is a section of hallway with a camera and two lines on the floor. Once I cross the second line, there is always a short loud buzzing noise. I asked them what that was all about, and it turns out that it is a system to help you remember to walk at high speed. Time is money at that company, and if the buzzer goes off you weren’t walking fast enough. It seemed like most people felt that the idea was a bad one, but I thought it was pretty interesting.
It turns out that most of next week is off because of Obon, so Kuniko and I will have some time to do some fun stuff together. Monday I have to teach at Nozaki sensei’s classroom, but after that we’re free and clear!
