10 Things We Can Learn From Japan

[wombat2u2004]

1. THE CALM
Not a single visual of chest-beating or wild grief. Sorrow
itself has been elevated.

2. THE DIGNITY
Disciplined queues for water and groceries. Not a rough word
or a crude gesture.

3. THE ABILITY
The incredible architects, for instance. Buildings swayed but
did not fall.

4. THE GRACE
People bought only what they needed for the present, so
everybody could get something.

5. THE ORDER
No looting in shops. No honking and no overtaking on the
roads. Just understanding.

6. THE SACRIFICE
Fifty workers stayed back to pump sea water in the N-reactors.
How will they ever be repaid?

7. THE TENDERNESS
Restaurants cut prices. An unguarded ATM is left alone. The
strong cared for the weak.

8. THE TRAINING
The old and the children, everyone knew exactly what to do.
And they did just that.

9. THE MEDIA
They showed magnificent restraint in the bulletins. No silly
reporters. Only calm reportage.

10. THE CONSCIENCE
When the power went off in a store, people put things back on
the shelves and left quietly.


What a people! What a country! What a nation!
World should be watching and learn how to behave in such
situation.

[sasvermont]

I really think their religion has lots to do with their behaviors. I have always admired the folks from Japan and in fact, have a fair amount of Japanese art. I have a friend who married a Japanese man. When I visited them for dinner once, he treated me with such attention, I felt like a queen. They really know how to entertain. It was not lavish, just all about the guest and making the evening run smoothly with grace.

But, there is a certain amount of strictness that can be constraining. I guess it is a trade off. I think it's worth it though.

Thanks for posting this.

[Catty1]

This is so true - and puts me in mind of Egypt. When the many days of protests were over, the protesters AND the army cleaned up the area.

Wow...

[Freedom]

I've noted much of this as well. Just amazing, compared to what we see here.

Only one I disagree with is the looting the stores: far as I can see, there weren't any stores left to loot!

[cassiesmom]

*things that seem stable really aren't ... things are not as permanent as they feel
*we have a lot to be thankful for ... and how quickly it can all be taken away
*our priorities have a way of getting out of focus ... if you had five minutes before you had to leave, what would you take?

[Asiel]

I had noticed the same thing about the Japanese. It just amazes me how they can be so calm and respectful of each other in the face of such disaster. Thanks for posting this Wom.