Closing Time
By solxee
@sol_cee (38223)
Philippines
September 24, 2017 10:41pm CST
I attended my friend’s sayonara party last night. After four years of working as an English teacher in Japan, she is finally going back to the Philippines. It was a hasty decision, I think. She said she no longer felt that she was needed in her company. That she was asked to do a lot of unnecessary errands unfit for her role as an English teacher. She claimed her company could not fire her, so they delegated tasks which she deemed lowly, like cutting her in the middle of the class, asking her to go the post office, etc. etc. She was wallowing in self-pity and no amount of friendly advice could convince her to just quit her job, find another school and continue working here. So last night was an emotional one as we bade her goodbye. When I hugged her for the last time, all memories came back, and I found myself crying. I wonder when I would see her again. :(
30 people like this
28 responses
@dpk262006 (58675)
• Delhi, India
25 Sep 17
I agree with Judy that she might find another job and may come back again to Japan. When you are away from your home country, every friend from your home country becomes very important and her absence will definitely be felt by you. Having said that it is part of life, better take it on your stride.
5 people like this
@vandana7 (98823)
• India
25 Sep 17
I learned that part when I was in first second and third standards. You could say I had six heart breaks then. I would not understand why a friend who used to sleep in the same dormitory as me would play my favorite games would suddenly disappear because her parents did not want her to continue in the same school. Summer vacations and Diwali vacations became difficult to deal with..because there was no permanence. So not getting seriously attached became a norm.
3 people like this
@dpk262006 (58675)
• Delhi, India
25 Sep 17
@vandana7 You meant to say that when you were quite young and used to stay in hostel, you learnt the hard fact of life that friends come and go, nothing is permanent here. You become used to it and you made yourself understand that getting attached with someone seriously is not going to do any good to you.
1 person likes this
@allen0187 (58444)
• Philippines
25 Sep 17
So sorry to hear the plight of your friend. Hopefully, she finds a better job here in the Philippines.
2 people like this
@allen0187 (58444)
• Philippines
25 Sep 17
@sol_cee not sure if that would pay as much as her work in Japan but it is her decision.
2 people like this
@sol_cee (38223)
• Philippines
25 Sep 17
@allen0187 I bet she was joking. Or maybe not. ;)
2 people like this
@sol_cee (38223)
• Philippines
25 Sep 17
Apparently, dismissals in Japan are strictly regulated under the Labor Law. Employers won't fire you outright, unless you have given them reasons (misconduct, incompetence) which would stand up in court. Hence, the trick of getting you to leave voluntarily.
4 people like this
@ilocosboy (45157)
• Philippines
25 Sep 17
Of course you will meet again, that's what friends are for. So sad many company's like that, after getting the loyalty service of their employee they will treat them lowly when they thought someone are younger and prettier.
2 people like this
@ilocosboy (45157)
• Philippines
25 Sep 17
@sol_cee its not mine but I knew some of them. I have the feeling it could also happen to me.
2 people like this
@responsiveme (22926)
• India
25 Sep 17
I suppose it takes a lot out of you if people keep on behaving meanly.
But big decisions should not be taken hastily.
Hope you see her again...She gets another job and comes back
3 people like this
@Letranknight2015 (51513)
• Philippines
26 Sep 17
So, what is your friend doing these days? they should have gave her fair compensation. Well, I doubt there's a support group like that probably in japan.
2 people like this
@ridingbet (66857)
• Philippines
26 Sep 17
maybe if you have your vacation here in our country, you might see her again.
2 people like this
@FayeHazel (40248)
• United States
25 Sep 17
Oh I'm sorry to hear that. It is too bad that her company treated her like that. But my question is - would she receive the same amount of pay? Then why worry about it. But I'm sure when it happens to you - it seems much more personal. I do hope you will be able to stay in touch with her
2 people like this
@peachpurple (13884)
• Malaysia
25 Sep 17
She should have find another job in another school, don't leave Japan yet because this country has a good future ahead
2 people like this
@sol_cee (38223)
• Philippines
25 Sep 17
@peachpurple agree. Worst enemy for a peaceful mind.
2 people like this
@peachpurple (13884)
• Malaysia
25 Sep 17
@sol_cee maybe, sometimes too much pressure would drive one to crucial decision
2 people like this
@Kind4321 (826)
• Nairobi, Kenya
25 Sep 17
Sorry about that but time will heal everything.She feels its time for her to pursue her happiness elsewhere.Her season for teaching in Japan ended.Change is inevitable.Just keep her number and you can keep communicating.
All the best to her and her future endeavors
2 people like this
@SIMPLYD (90722)
• Philippines
26 Sep 17
Don't be sad, you can always see each other in messenger, viber or skype. Besides you can see each other when you come home to the Philippines too.
Yes, why can't she apply in another school? Maybe she really wants to go home already. Is she married?
2 people like this
@TiarasOceanView (70035)
• United States
26 Sep 17
I am so sorry to hear this my friend..she will be missed by you.
It is too bad the employer chose to do this to her.
She must have felt so humiliated that she felt it best to leave.
1 person likes this
@andriaperry (116860)
• Anniston, Alabama
25 Sep 17
That is terrible to do here that way.
2 people like this
@acelawrites (19273)
• Philippines
25 Sep 17
Or maybe she just needed some rest and go back there again in a new school?
2 people like this
@joanwanjala (522)
• Mombasa, Kenya
25 Sep 17
I always quit whenever I feel intimidated, and I go home, no where else
1 person likes this
@joanwanjala (522)
• Mombasa, Kenya
26 Sep 17
@sol_cee It's OK dear, twice, and I left, just like that.
Thank God mum and dad can still accommodate me
