I've just read Levy's entry on the Ugliest Car of 2003 award. While I agree that the Element violates some very 'elemental' rules of design, I also find it remarkable that the award goes to a Honda this year. Normally, the Japanese car makers thrive at making consistently unoffensive econoboxes and family sedans. Some would call it 'tasteful design', which is code for 'bland'. How would you describe the Accord's appearance? Racy? No. Ugly? No. Sleek? Not really. But having worked alongside the Japanese for 4 years now, it seems like a good time to list up a few of the things I love about them...
1) Neatness. They make Americans look like slobs. While in Tokyo I noticed that THERE WAS NO TRASH. This is not exaggeration. Even at the train station, there was nary a cigarette on the train tracks. This is even more amazing when you consider their population density which is about a million people per square mile. (some of you may point out that they wear what appears to be the same outfit 5 days in a row, but this merits further investigation before i can address these accusations.)
2) Boring cars. For discussion sake, we will define 'boring' as 'doesn't ever break'. Contrast the Japanese with a more exotic and stylish model such as the British-made Jaguar (pronounced 'Zhagoowar'), which, as Dave Barry duly noted, cannot make it across the a mall parking lot without major engine failure. Meanwhile, my 97 Subie (pronounced, 'lesbaru') has had no problems after nearly 130,000 miles. Levy, don't gloat. Your transport was voted "gayest car". Not that there's anything wrong with that.
3) Manners. Even though they can be sexist sometimes, the Japanese are some of the most polite people you will ever meet. To my jaded American eyes, it looks like butt-kissing, but it's just in their culture to take care of superiors and guests. If you go to eat with them, they make sure your Sake glass stays full. And all that bowing. I thought it was a hollywood stereotype, but no, they really bow when they meet you. Sometimes it's like a contest to see who can bow the most or go the lowest. I usually lose these contests. Dumb American.
4) Karate. Yes, it's true. They are all blackbelts by age 12 and practice during lunch hour in the break room.
That's all for now, but I may post some more in the near future. As I see my career at JP winding down, I feel the urge to pay tribute.
Posted by aokie at August 29, 2003 12:43 PMAbe, you're hilarious. And a brilliant social commentator. Please write some more so we can laugh and marvel at your obscenely clever wit.
Posted by: abe at August 29, 2003 12:50 PMHaving lived with a Jap for 4 years, I can empathize with your sentiments.
I think living with Japanese politeness prepared me for marrying a southern woman, with all that tactful word stuff they do.
Posted by: JosiahQ at August 29, 2003 04:16 PMI'm going to have take issue with the neatness thing. I find that the neatness is true, but mostly in the home or office. While I was in Tokyo, I did notice a lot of trash, especially around vending machines and in places like Harajuku and Shibuya. That and the drunk businessmen pissing in corners didn't seem very clean. Yes, they as a people in general are clean, very clean, but only in certain contexts I think. I do remember coming back to America and being disappointed in how dirty everything was.
It's the same with the politeness. They are polite, often very helpful and courteous. However, I think it is more just a sensitivity to the group dynamic that I as an American often lack. I think it is not unreasonable to say that they can also be particularly insensitive as well. Old people, Japanese-Americans who don't speak Japanese and Japanese people who don't quite "fit in" are all subjects of repeated scorn. Let alone the whole racist issue with other Asians.
They are a wonderful people and I love the nation, so don't get me wrong. =)
In fact if you know of anyone that wants to hire a computer science major with a year of experience and can speak some Japanese let me know, please. I'd love to go back.
Posted by: mkrueger at August 30, 2003 11:29 AMActually, my experience has been that they will let their desks go (makes them look busy). But I didn't see any trash in Tokyo. I was only there a few days, so I might have just missed it. But I also mean they have an aesthetic committment to neatness. Japanese gardens have very clean, defined divisions. Japanese cars tend to have very clean design as well. Boring, but clean.
Unfortunately, my soon-to-be-former employer wouldn't hire someone as qualified as you.
Posted by: Abe at September 2, 2003 12:33 AM