Tamori’s Ticketing Service

Efficiency in Japan is no joke.

I recently shared this animated GIF on Twitter/Facebook – first shared by my buddy Joseph – and though it’s a really funny skit (featuring the one and only comedian/TV host Tamori-san) it really did strike a chord with me.

I make no secret that I’m missing a hell of a lot of things from Japan – my aunt Anne was recently a lifesaver when she brought me my go-to MUJI pens, which she picked up at a MUJI store in Dubai – but one of the things I miss most is the incredible sense of efficiency and responsibility you find in everyday life there (and I should specify that I’m describing my experience of living in Tokyo, and can’t really speak for other Japanese cities).

Yeah, yeah, I’m sure many will immediately point out nightmare marathon waiting sessions when dealing with the government, but that kind of bureaucracy paralysis is a staple of governments everywhere. And critique of the noted inflexibility when it comes to wanting to do something slightly different that doesn’t follow the set structure is a discussion for another post.

What I’m talking about here is the efficiency found in transportation, in stores, for most paid services (like deliveries).

One thing I’m finding hard to get used to is how often I encounter a lack of ownership/responsibility here. If someone is doing a job that they don’t care about, they’re not shy to let you know about it. Try to get specific details for something – “When will this construction work end?” – and you just get half-truths (to just get you to stop asking) or a plain ol’ “who knows,” which while better than half-truths, is still not what I want to hear when you’re doing your job, and I’m assuming it’s not the first time you do something like this.

But hey, it’s easy to rant about things, and I’m not saying that Japan is the promised land. But in terms of anything that relates to services, I’m definitely finding it difficult to adapt.

I miss Tamori-san too.