In the previous post, I discussed an important term in Japanese business culture, 社会人 shakai-jin that I encountered working in Japan.
Today, I will point out another term illustrating cultural phenomena in Japanese business culture I think should be talked about.
Today, I will point out another term illustrating cultural phenomena in Japanese business culture I think should be talked about.
chapter four
飲みニケーション ”nomi-nication ”
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The term "nomi-nication" is a blend word composed of the two words "nomu," which means to drink (in this case, alcohol) and communication. The drinking culture in Japan is constantly morphing with the fluctuation of technology, marketing, and legal trends, but one thing is for certain - it's HUGE. And it's definitely present in Japanese business culture.
We've all heard of the casual happy hour with co-workers after work. Depending on who you are, and what you do, this can happen once a month, maybe even once a year. In domestic Japanese companies, this is not the case. Going for a drink after work is a standard. Whether you are invited by your douki (co-workers who entered the company the same year as you), your sempai (co-workers who are older), or even your boss, I would say during the busiest times of the year, it is completely normal that you go out drinking until 2AM every single day of the week.
All the while, you must be professional, because if you go out with co-workers, you are on the job. This brings about that interesting little phenomenon called nomi-nication. The term refers to the idea that when you drink together, you can finally talk honestly. Naturally, this speaks to the inability to talk frankly in the workplace without a bottle of beer between you. After experiencing the deeply seeded hierarchy, ageism, and power harassment that festered beneath the surface of every interaction I had while I worked in Japan, honestly, I felt the same way.
I'm going to tell it to your straight... I liked nomi-nicating. I love going out for a drink, and let's face it, I talk a LOT more after I've had a glass of wine. Don't we all? For a slightly-socially-challenged introvert like myself, having that clear indicator that this was the place and the time to be frank and straightforward was somewhat of a Hail Mary. I had some of my best heart-to-hearts and networking opportunities over drinks with co-workers.
But what if I wasn't like that? Would I feel pressure to go out, or even worse, to drink? I have to admit, even though I appreciated it, it was exhausting, and clearly terrible for your body. Also, what does this say about the Japanese workplace that it is so incapable of honesty?
We've all heard of the casual happy hour with co-workers after work. Depending on who you are, and what you do, this can happen once a month, maybe even once a year. In domestic Japanese companies, this is not the case. Going for a drink after work is a standard. Whether you are invited by your douki (co-workers who entered the company the same year as you), your sempai (co-workers who are older), or even your boss, I would say during the busiest times of the year, it is completely normal that you go out drinking until 2AM every single day of the week.
All the while, you must be professional, because if you go out with co-workers, you are on the job. This brings about that interesting little phenomenon called nomi-nication. The term refers to the idea that when you drink together, you can finally talk honestly. Naturally, this speaks to the inability to talk frankly in the workplace without a bottle of beer between you. After experiencing the deeply seeded hierarchy, ageism, and power harassment that festered beneath the surface of every interaction I had while I worked in Japan, honestly, I felt the same way.
I'm going to tell it to your straight... I liked nomi-nicating. I love going out for a drink, and let's face it, I talk a LOT more after I've had a glass of wine. Don't we all? For a slightly-socially-challenged introvert like myself, having that clear indicator that this was the place and the time to be frank and straightforward was somewhat of a Hail Mary. I had some of my best heart-to-hearts and networking opportunities over drinks with co-workers.
But what if I wasn't like that? Would I feel pressure to go out, or even worse, to drink? I have to admit, even though I appreciated it, it was exhausting, and clearly terrible for your body. Also, what does this say about the Japanese workplace that it is so incapable of honesty?
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I'd love to hear your thoughts. Stay tuned for my next and final post on the Japanese workplace!
Much love,
justajae