JAPAN- Part3 : Punctuality & precision

We all know the famous proverb " Time waits for no one, but it rewards those who honor it."

Time is surely honoring the people from Japan because development in this country is reaching exponential heights. There is no denying that Japan currently holds the highest number of total patent grants mainly because of the importance given to precision. One of the best examples of the highest level of punctuality is the bullet train popularly known in Japan as Shinkansen. If your train ticket reads the departure time as 8:06am, make sure to reach the platform well before the printed time because if you are even a wee bit careless and reach the platform right at 6 minutes past 8, you will literally see (your) train speeding off to its next destination right in front of your own eyes!

Punctual people are generally organized and systematic. Imagine a country wherein most inhabitants have punctuality embedded in their bloodstream! It's natural for the country itself to be one where everything is well-organized and day-to-day tasks & activities run in a systematic flow of actions. That's what one gets to witness in Japan. Following rules and abiding by the laws are ingrained in the local citizens. For them, it is not even a question of conforming to something but an organic flow of actions. 

What I got to witness in Tokyo Disneyland is a thorough proof of the above. The crowd was just like in any other famous tourist attraction with thousands of families who had come to the magical place for some fun family time. The way lines moved, the manner in which even the little children behaved, and the patience that the souls portrayed amid the hustle and bustle, taught me some very valuable life lessons. I have been to Florida Disneyland and the experience there was straight opposite! Everyone was hyper and trying to protect their space in the queue, quite wary of each other with untrustful stares and loud protests if someone even dared to so much as look in the direction of the space they were holding! The level of insecurity they held in their hearts was evident in the mannerisms of each and every US citizen. Although they were also just following the rule of being in the queue etc, yet the dynamics and the vibrations were of tension and fighting spirit. Yes, fighting for their rights whereas, in Japan, I witnessed the silent adherence to the rules with total faith in the system. From the youngest to the most elderly, everyone seemed to be at ease in the queues, patiently moving forward as the people went into the rides and the line moved forward as opposed to the American Disneyland, where even a little gap in the line was quickly filled up by pushing each other, just in case someone dared to sweep in!! The two countries displayed the extremes in the values of patience, tolerance and humility.

The aspect of precision in their every task, howsoever minute it may be, was something that I was overwhelmed with. What we would take for granted is something that they would give their full attention to. There is never a percentage of error in their tasks or activities. Yet another value system worth imbibing. The simple task of presenting the meals can be called a work of art. The innumerable tiny cute ceramic cups with different culinary items, the variety of cutlery for each delicacy, and the healthy presentation of veggies & fruits are all symbols of attention to detail. I would unhesitatingly say that the act of eating with chopsticks in itself is an example of patience and precision and if one does not have punctuality in one's personality trait, one can miss the sticky rice landing into the mouth to savour😂

All in all, it would not be an exaggeration to say that Japan is a land of many values and the importance given to the value system is beyond comprehension for the rest of the world. One can only wonder at the level of maturity they display when it comes to life in general. They understand that there is no value in fussing over the minor stuff when there is a bigger experience to be lived, which is Life itself!!