Another Story about My Boss

Hello Feona, The problem is that my boss doesn't want to listen. I think he can understand English a bit but can't speak the language. Sometimes, he tries to speak to me but it is only one or two words in front like "Do you...." and starts to call my friend to translate the sentence. My Japanese friend is married to a Malaysian and she can speak a little bit of English and local language. So, she always translate word by word. I am always in the middle and my! I am the last who get it right... I have this problem from the very beginning (since my first boss and he is the fifth and the worst and the cleverest) so I get used to sign language. Sometimes our sign language really looks like Ultraman fighting the monsters or Batman with hands 'flying' here and there just to get it right. He even scolds me in Japanese and I always surrender as I don't understand at all. Sometimes he wants to joke with me but yes, I laugh but I don't know what it is all about!

OMG....too funny...I wouldn't last one day cuz I would demand he learns to talk right or I am outta there... No batman or kung foo gestures with me... I get dizzy just bending my head...I can't imagine doing all that gymnastic stuff..

Hello Feona, That's what happened to my friend. She is 53. Every time there is a 'heated argument' in the office (when the Batman and the Ultraman can't seem to understand each other) she will get pressured and oppss...missing in action a day after that! The day I shouted to my boss (the very first time in my 10 years working there), my friend had her fair share too...I saw her drinking Chamomile tea and she told me to do the same too Oh, help me God! Give me a new boss who can speak English!

Hello Rexdoron, They are hardworking people. But you can see that kind of working environment if it is in Japan. When they get out from the country and work in foreign land, they might change their working style. For example, my own boss. When the first time he reached Malaysia, he stayed until late night and felt weird when we went back early. He even thanked us when we stayed for over time (in fact we are forced to work extra hours and get paid for that) After three or four months, he just did the same too. They feel proud of their cultures and language. Whenever you show the interest to learn the language, they will teach you happily. In term of work, they try not to say 'no' too much and really respect customers whether they are right or wrong. 'Customers are always right' really suits them..

Thanks for your information. Looks like I added new knowledge.

Hello vanities, This is my weakness or maybe just 1001 reasons that I want to give here (to save my life!) - I am very slow at learning new language. Yes, my husband is Russian but after almost 4 years of marriage, I can't say a word of it. I have been with the company for 10 years and being surrounded by Japanese most of the time and yes, I don't speak their language. I don't blame my boss totally for not being able to speak English as I, myself didn't take the effort to learn their language too...

Hello aseretdd, I can tell you... The Russian didn't get the answer to his questions. My boss thought that everything is settled. My colleague felt guilty as she couldn't translate everything properly. I got headache because I knew it - the Russian is not going to get what he is looking for! My boss talked in Japanese to the translator. The translator (my colleague) explained to me in the mix of English and local language (word by word) and I, tried to figure out the meaning and explained to the Russian in English. The best is that, you know how Russian speaks English, don't you? Anyway, the three of us were happy (except the Russian) and the job is done!

Hello Dasari100, He is leaving to Japan on 20th this month. My new boss will come by end of the month too. I don't know how he would be but I do hope he can understand basic English. If not, I have to suffer for another two years again!

Hello bunnybon7, I already 'suffered' more than two years! In fact, both of us made mistake. We don't even care to learn the basic - at least to understand simple words that are widely used by both of us. The translator is another story. I know it is not easy for her to translate when the boss doesn't even want to listen and always want her to translate directly whatever he says. If you see how we communicate, I bet you can't stop laughing!

Hello AnakSuNamun, I work for the Japanese but my job is to deal with the locals. So, I speak English most of the time. My three bosses are Japanese and they speak little English and one of them, can' t speak at all. It is hard sometimes but I get used to it. The problem is whenever a foreigner comes to my office, it is hard for the boss to meet him and he needs someone to help him out. Most of the time, my colleague (who is the most senior staff in our department) and I, become the 'victims' . My boss doesn't want to listen and whenever we try to translate, he will jump to the conclusion and it irritates us sometimes...

Hello wordlbestwriter2008, He has both hard copy and digital dictionaries on his table. I think he understands English but can't speak the language. I am not good either as this is just my second language. So, I don't think I am the right person to teach him. I work for the Japanese and he is from Foreign Ministry. Yesterday, another similar case happened. A British guy called up and asked my help to check some information. Unfortunately, he only can get the information from Tokyo Office so I gave him the number to call. I told him that he might need a help of someone who can speak Japanese when he is dealing with them. He called me back and told me that he couldn't understand a thing as every thing was told to him in Japanese. So he asked me whether I can help him. I asked my boss and tried to explain the situation. I told him that this guy has no one who can speak Japanese and he needs our favor to help him out. He explained to me everything but at the end of the translation, my boss told me, "To get a better answer, ask him to ask someone who can speak Japanese to call Japan directly" Oh, my! How am I going to tell that last sentence to the guy?