While we were on tour with my family and a Japanese host family, there was a sudden and very strong torrential rainfall, accompanied by strong gusts of wind. We were in the middle of the city.
Despite of this, even though everybody was getting very wet, we did not stop walking. We took out our umbrellas, and kept going, just to meet the schedule and make in on time to be able to cover all the tourist spots we had to visit; even if it meant that our socks, pants and sleeves had to be soaking wet.
Around us was the most unusual scene. Even though the torrents were very strong, people went about their business. Although at a hurried pace, office workers in their black suits and ties, gracefully marched in the puddles and pouring rain. Many of them did not carry an umbrella. They were getting wet and blown by the strong winds, of course, but they marched on. Only a few people sought the shade and most everyone braved the rain just to get to their appointments or workplaces on time.
This kind of determination and discipline made an impact on me because usually when it rains in my country, most people will hide in the shade and wait for the rain to subside. It also taught me that Japanese people do not procrastinate. They do things now when they need to do it, at any cost. These values are evident throughout their culture: from the perfectionism and mastery of their craft, their discipline and determination as been shown in harakiri and suicide missions in the war.
And extracting lessons from these values, I have boiled them down to the following virtues:
- Don't procrastinate. If you need to do it, do it now.
- Determination
- Discipline
I have learned a tad more about the Japanese people, such as thinking about others, thinking of the community more than their own individuality and more.
