Hi everyone,
I will soon start my first job in Japan, and I would like to have some insights into how things work here.
My hotel is part of a big US group that uses OPERA PMS. Does anyone here work in a hotel that uses this system and does it differs from the US version (Japanese version? I know that in non-English
speaking countries they use the English version).
Also, how did you adapt to working in a hotel in Japan? (Management, colleagues, etc..)
Thanks!
4 comments
To first point out the obvious: As with any job, it’s the people that make the workplace. Here are some of my experiences, which may not apply to your place. Also, you may or may not get some slack for being a foreigner.
1. Seniority is a big deal in Japan. I wasn’t a new grad when I started so I was more or less the same age as people who were team leaders or section chiefs, so I feel that they took it easy on me when I messed up.
2. Making mistakes is a horrible taboo in Japan, so I had a couple of superiors who would get angry if I made a mistake for not knowing things, or if I asked questions that were ‘too obvious’ for them.
3. Get along with your peers, i.e. people who started working at the same time as you. Try and go on a group dinner with them.
4. Really minor detail, but saying good morning to people when you walk in the office is kind of important. You’d think this is obvious, but I’ve seen a few foreign staff join my hotel who didn’t do this, and I’ve heard the “they have bad manners” whispers.
5. If you’re going to be talking with Japanese guests, brush up on your keigo. This obviously varies depending on what kind of clientele your hotel has, but it never hurts to be prepared.
Sorry I can’t help with the hotel system, ours used a different one.
I’m more than happy to answer any questions if you shoot me a message!
4. Really minor detail, but saying good morning to people when you walk in the office is kind of important. You’d think this is obvious, but I’ve seen a few foreign staff join my hotel who didn’t do this, and I’ve heard the “they have bad manners” whispers.
Not minor and really quite important. All part of being able to あいさつ properly.
Edit: I don’t know how to make this a reply to the other dudes comment 😅
I believe the hotel industry in Japan has one of the highest rates of karōshi. Horror stories abound. Just remember that the working visa is yours, not theirs, so you’re free to leave and find other work roughly in the same field.
Enjoy your overtime and treating awful customers like gods *salute*