A New Boss
By gr8life
@gr8life (6251)
Malaysia
January 9, 2009 3:48pm CST
Hello All,
I am going to get a new boss this coming March. Well, I hope he is better than my present boss! I think most of my friends here know what happened between my boss and I, a few days before end of last year(I dedicated a discussion just to vent my anger at him
) I am sorry as I don't feel like repeating the incident here. According to my colleagues, this time around we will get someone who can at least speaks and understands English (Well, my boss is Japanese!) I can say that most of the problems that we face in the office is just because of misunderstanding. I don't speak Japanese and he doesn't speak English. We get used to use all kind of sign language just to understand each other. That is the point of my weakness here - I have been with the company for a decade and still don't want to learn a bit of the Japanese language. It is weird and sounds really unbelievable when I am surrounded all the times by the Japanese and still can' t speak their language. But I still do not understand why the Japanese Government doesn't train their staff and makes them learn English. It is very hard sometimes... I came to know from my friend who works for Australian Government that their diplomats need to attend a short course to learn a local language before they are being transferred to another countries.
I will get a new boss every two year and the present one is my fifth boss. He is the most particular and hard to understand. In fact, he is the cleverest among all my bosses. He has a Master degree and graduated from a well known Waseda University in Japan. I believe he understands English but he doesn't want to speak. I can see he always has a thick English novel on his table and whenever he is free, he will read (but I am not sure he really reads or he is trying to learn...)
His predecessor couldn't speak English at all too but he's a funny guy and he didn't disturb us too much. He loves to sing and whenever he has free time, he will sing and chat with us (using a translator's help too but still, we enjoyed working together)
Whatever it is, I am ready for the worst scenario. Maybe the next boss is worse than the present one. Who knows... Whether he is good or not, I still have to work with him and hopefully, 2009 will bring all the good things for me!
) I am sorry as I don't feel like repeating the incident here. According to my colleagues, this time around we will get someone who can at least speaks and understands English (Well, my boss is Japanese!) I can say that most of the problems that we face in the office is just because of misunderstanding. I don't speak Japanese and he doesn't speak English. We get used to use all kind of sign language just to understand each other. That is the point of my weakness here - I have been with the company for a decade and still don't want to learn a bit of the Japanese language. It is weird and sounds really unbelievable when I am surrounded all the times by the Japanese and still can' t speak their language. But I still do not understand why the Japanese Government doesn't train their staff and makes them learn English. It is very hard sometimes... I came to know from my friend who works for Australian Government that their diplomats need to attend a short course to learn a local language before they are being transferred to another countries.
I will get a new boss every two year and the present one is my fifth boss. He is the most particular and hard to understand. In fact, he is the cleverest among all my bosses. He has a Master degree and graduated from a well known Waseda University in Japan. I believe he understands English but he doesn't want to speak. I can see he always has a thick English novel on his table and whenever he is free, he will read (but I am not sure he really reads or he is trying to learn...)
His predecessor couldn't speak English at all too but he's a funny guy and he didn't disturb us too much. He loves to sing and whenever he has free time, he will sing and chat with us (using a translator's help too but still, we enjoyed working together)
Whatever it is, I am ready for the worst scenario. Maybe the next boss is worse than the present one. Who knows... Whether he is good or not, I still have to work with him and hopefully, 2009 will bring all the good things for me!1 person likes this
10 responses
@chulce (1537)
• United States
9 Jan 09
Wow, how interesting. Sounds like you have your hands full with the company you work for.
I hope that things work out for you and that you do find a boss that is easier to communicate with.
You are probably right in your assumption. If he has thick english novels on his desk, I would ask him, in english one time, if he likes the book, be sure that what ever you do, you know a little something about what he is reading. If you get a response like a nod. Then I would act surprised and say, you mean you have understood me all this time. Act a little embarrassed by the new knowledge and see what happens. Who knows maybe the next few weeks or whatever the case may be that you have with this guy will be a little easier on you.
Good Luck!
1 person likes this
@gr8life (6251)
• Malaysia
10 Jan 09
Hello chulce,
I remember my colleague told me once that my boss didn't read the whole book. He only read the first few pages, the middle and the last few. I don't know whether he is trying to learn the language or what. He has a digital dictionary but I seldom see him using it; not like my big boss who always bring it with him whenever he comes near us to talk or ask about something. I get used to read his gestures. Once I told him 'I-don't-know" and he replied in Japanese; from the gesture I knew that he meant he didn't understand.
@gr8life (6251)
• Malaysia
12 Jan 09
Hello LuckyLadyD,
Thanks for sharing this with me and others. In fact, I get used to speak in different language with my boss. I am just hoping for something better this time... He doesn't want to speak - that's one thing and I, doesn't even try to learn the language after so many years being with them - that's my weakness!
@LuckyLadyD (359)
• United States
10 Jan 09
Hi there, and I'm sorry to hear about your work situation. From the considerable time you have spent there, it sounds like the changing of the guard is a regular occurrence, and one you should be adjusted to by now. However, I can understand your apprehension at the unexpected, and change is always scary.
I have an extensive background in the job market that includes working for a company owned by foreigners. In my case, it was Korean.
One thing that I learned from that is that the Asian countries hold themselves in much higher regard than they do Americans. Theirs are countries founded many, many years before ours, and their ancient heritage gives them the air of privilege and superiority over us Americans.
You can pretty much bet that your new boss will be Japanese, as will all his replacements. You can pretty much expect their attitudes to be similar, and it's not that they don't speak or understand English, but the superiority complex they are hiding under.
That's my experience, and my opinion, and I'm sticking to it.
1 person likes this
@oldboy46 (2129)
• Australia
1 Feb 09
Well hopefully your new boss who is due to start next month will be better than the current one. However it is sad that there is a lack of communication as neither of you has a grasp of a common language. Maybe the bosses from Japan should learn to speak some English and all local workers need to learn some Japanese. That way there is a bit of give and take on both sides and that should certainly improve the working environment. 
It is interesting that the Japanese bosses do not speak English and also very surprising in fact. I can remember being in Japan, with the Australian military forces, for a visit in the 1970's. Every port we went to and had leave there, we would be met by Japanese students who wanted to learn English. They would spend all day (and often night too) showing us around their town and district and the condition was that we had to speak English to them. Correct their grammar and pronunciation etc but talk to them as we would talk to anyone so that they could speak better than text book English. 
From memory this was organised between the Australian Embassy and the Universities in the towns that we visited. I have also met some Japanese visitors here in Australia and they all talk some English. Maybe it is the fact that they are here in Australia that they learn English as it is our first language.
Good luck with you new boss and hope it works out well for you.
It is interesting that the Japanese bosses do not speak English and also very surprising in fact. I can remember being in Japan, with the Australian military forces, for a visit in the 1970's. Every port we went to and had leave there, we would be met by Japanese students who wanted to learn English. They would spend all day (and often night too) showing us around their town and district and the condition was that we had to speak English to them. Correct their grammar and pronunciation etc but talk to them as we would talk to anyone so that they could speak better than text book English.
From memory this was organised between the Australian Embassy and the Universities in the towns that we visited. I have also met some Japanese visitors here in Australia and they all talk some English. Maybe it is the fact that they are here in Australia that they learn English as it is our first language.
Good luck with you new boss and hope it works out well for you. 1 person likes this
@oldboy46 (2129)
• Australia
6 Feb 09
Yes it is stange that they Japanese Government or companies do not have their staff who are going to another country to learn the language. If English is widely spoken, then by all means have them learn some of the English language or enough so that they can converse.
1 person likes this
@gr8life (6251)
• Malaysia
5 Feb 09
Hello oldboy46,Thanks for sharing your experience here. In fact, I can't blame him alone. It is partly my mistake too. Maybe I am lazy to learn the language. I have been working for them for so long that I should know the language a bit here and there. From my experience, Japanese always welcome us to learn their language and they are willing to teach us everything when we show the interest and it is purely my weakness as I didn't grab the chance to learn it while I am still working with them. One thing I don't understand, why the government sends staff who can't speak English at all. English is not my first language too and I think it is important to know how to speak in this language when you deal with foreign people.
@gr8life (6251)
• Malaysia
10 Jan 09
Hello stephcjh,
Thanks for the wishes. I change boss every two years and since I have been here for 10 years, the new boss will be my 6th boss. I saw his photo once (showed to me by my present boss) and he doesn't look like a rude guy but who knows... All my five ex-bosses aren't fluent too. The first always used to write on paper to explain matters to me, the second was okay, the third can understand better and speaks a bit as the wife is an English teacher, the fourth and fifth can't speak at all.
@checapricorn (16060)
• United States
5 Feb 09
[i]Hi gr8life,
Wow..that is tough! LOL! I know how hard it is just using sign language or maybe they need an interpreter to be with them! LOL!
I wish you all the best for this year in your job and I know you're been working with different people already, so, it's not hard for you to adjust! You have been tested by time and experience! Cheers![/i]
Note: I am wondering why I didn't get a notification of this post!
Note: I am wondering why I didn't get a notification of this post!1 person likes this
@gr8life (6251)
• Malaysia
5 Feb 09
Hello checapricorn,
I just received news that he will only go back to Japan in May instead of April. That means my new boss will come in April only instead of March. That is not a good news to me. Oh, yes! Two days ago, we didn't have a translator to translate our conversation (the translation job is always complicated due to his stubbornness not to listen to the translation first before he jumps to the conclusion) so he tried to speak to me in English, word by word. Half way, he gave up and asked me to wait for the translator to come the next day (the translator is my senior colleague!) Back to your note, sometimes it happens... maybe it is just a temporary glitch.
@aseretdd (13729)
• Philippines
10 Jan 09
Oh my... i can't even imagine how i can work with someone who doesn't speak or understand my language or vise versa... so i admire you for being able to do that like 5 times... and when the new boss arrives... that will be 6 times in a row...
I think the Japanese are to patriotic to the point that the would rather teach other nationalities how to speak their language... than them learn another one... that was the case when they occupied the Philippines during WW II... Nihongo became the national language... and all students were obliged to learn it in school... but that did not progress because they were driven out after 3 years...
So... i wish you luck... and i hope this new boss will not be like the one you had problems with...
@gr8life (6251)
• Malaysia
10 Jan 09
Hello aseretdd,
I am hoping for a better boss. I am not saying that he is bad but sometimes he is just too much. He knows from the very beginning that we will have a communication breakdown and because of that, he should learn how to listen patiently. Unfortunately, he always jump to the conclusion before my Japanese colleague manages to finish the translation and always end up being scolded by him too. I don't worry too much about the boss but of course, if I can skip this problem that will be pretty much good for my working environment.
@Feona1962 (7526)
• United States
10 Jan 09
I hope your new boss speaks English..It is very important to be able to communicate and when you can't then misunderstandings can and will happen...
I am hoping you have a good boss this time...
1 person likes this
@gr8life (6251)
• Malaysia
12 Jan 09
Hello Feona,
According to my present boss (), his successor is younger than him and can speak English. He even showed me the photo of my going to be boss. I hope he is right. My boss is the cleverest among all of them you know...being graduated from Waseda University and he has Masters ...He reads thick English novel (always on his table) ...(better than me though....mine is not that thick) but still, doesn't want to speak English at all....
), his successor is younger than him and can speak English. He even showed me the photo of my going to be boss. I hope he is right. My boss is the cleverest among all of them you know...being graduated from Waseda University and he has Masters ...He reads thick English novel (always on his table) ...(better than me though....mine is not that thick) but still, doesn't want to speak English at all....
@vanities (11395)
• Davao, Philippines
10 Jan 09
hope you will gr8...oh i see your former boss was Japanese and now a new one with same nationality...well i guess you have to learn how to speak or at least understand the language...its an additional skill i guess in your part...some countries really like to speak their own language .... but i guess your new boss does know the language basing in your narration here...i don't know the reason behind on not speaking the language..
@gr8life (6251)
• Malaysia
10 Jan 09
Hello vanities,
That is my point of weakness! My husband always complains about it. He said it is amazing that I can't speak the language after working for 10 years with them. My bosses are all Japanese. I deal with locals and my bosses have no direct contact with the clients. I will do the talking on behalf of my boss most of the time.
@kukaisiton (702)
• Philippines
9 Jan 09
well i hope that your new boss will be a better one and hope that all of your coworkers get along well. Just try to be positive about it everything will be fine.
1 person likes this
@gr8life (6251)
• Malaysia
10 Jan 09
Hello kukaisiton,
I can see that you are a new member here. Welcome to mylot and hope that I am not too late. It is not really a big problem to me if again, I get a boss who can't speak English. I am used to it. But if he can, that will be a bonus and it will make my work easier.
@Autumnrose2008 (1478)
• United States
9 Jan 09
I will keep my fingers crossed that you get a good boss. I know working for someone you dont get along with can be a pain in the back side. I work with people I dont get along with thank goodness they are not my boss or I may not have a job as of yet. Any way good luck and happy my lotting.
1 person likes this
@gr8life (6251)
• Malaysia
10 Jan 09
Hello Autumnrose2008,
Thanks for that. He is my boss but since I always have to do the talking, I feel like I am superior than him. He always ask me, what's your opinion (Well, he only asks but doesn't want to listen and at the end when something happens, he will tell me that it's me who said so....yes, he is clever!) Happy mylotting to you too!
@Paper_Doll (2373)
• Philippines
6 Jul 12
Some of the Japanese I know can speak and understand English. In fact, when I was tasked to be a liaison officer to one of their ministers, I have the chance to get along with them. I noticed that they work really hard and they have respects for their officials. And not to mention, they walk fast.
I am posting here because we just had a new boss just this July. He would be heading our department for this month until December. I do not know but he really inspires me. I am usually late everyday but for this week, I was able to report on time. I clean my area everyday and would visit his office to see if it needs cleaning. I usually process documents after doing my things but when he arrived, I even took some works at home. I wanted to finish them ahead of time. I really like him because he is not like my previous boss who would make me wait for him to sign papers and sometimes would not really bother to sign even if it is urgent but has the time to visit social networking sites and play this bird game in his laptop. He also does not talk nonsense and green jokes so I really have high respect for him. He talks and acts professionally unlike my previous boss who likes to show off but do not even know how to handle his staff properly. My previous boss would usually ask us to treat him or do some favor him but our new boss even bought food for all of us during our second meeting.
I believe that this is an answered prayer. I am really happy and thankful. I hope that he would not leave us anymore but I know that is not possible. Nevertheless, I am grateful that even for just six months he would be with us.
