Read time ⏲
After working in Japan for 4.5 years, I landed my first ever full time job in Malaysia. Six months in… and wow. I did not expect reverse culture shock to hit this hard. Here are 4 things that still confuse me daily:
1.Colleagues or… Friends?
” You can share anything you think is beneficial to all your friends.” my colleague told me when he was explaining the upcoming meeting.
Friends??
The distance between colleagues in Malaysia is… basically nonexistent. Everyone is friendly, warm, and easy to talk to. You can make friends quickly, which is amazing.
The downside?
Information travels faster than viral videos.
In Japan, there is a clear separation between friends and colleagues. Sharing your personal life and meeting outside of office hour with your colleagues are not common.
2.Time Management
” Rakuten Trade sent out a memo to all employees that 1 min is considered late, thats crazy!” my colleague told me the other day.
“Wait, what is the problem with it? Sounds normal.”
“1 min doesn’t count as late, 15 mins is. You can never predict the traffic.”
The perception of late in Malaysia and Japan is different…
3. Free Food ?!
In Malaysia, there’s always food. Monthly events, training sessions, celebrations… and somehow, food appears.
“I think the dinner will only starts after the event is over.”
“The food is already here. Lets just take it. Nobody said you cannot anyway.”
And everybody started filling up their plates.
In Malaysia, free food is not optional.
It’s a call to action.
In Japan, everybody will just want to go home after work is done, despite free food.
4. Lively… or Loud?
“Hey, where should we go for lunch?”
“Hmm, I am hungry too, what about the Thai place? By the way, Grab has buy 1 free 1 drinks today.”
Meanwhile, across the office:
“HAHAHAHAHAHA”
“Just copy this into the spreadsheet—”
“Eh later we go together ah—”
In Malaysia, People talk, laugh, discuss, train, and debate—all at the same time.
In Japan, everybody focuses on work most of the time, and try to keep their volume down so that they wont disturb the others.
Final Thoughts
Both cultures have pros and cons.
Japan taught me discipline, focus, and professionalism.
Malaysia reminded me how to laugh and make friends at work, and never miss free food.
Am I still confused? Yes, and I bet more is yet to come.
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