Monday, September 12, 2005
I, Robot
For the record, I've finished uploading all the photo pages mentioned in yesterday's long post. So if you didn't see those pictures yet, please check them out. Thank god I didn't take any pictures today or else I might have really fallen behind!
Monday mornings are rough because my first class is at nine in the morning. It double-sucked today because I'm clearly coming down with something, probably a cold. Lots of sniffles and a drip with plenty of coughing. Luckily, I brought along a decent number of cough drops in my backpack which help sooth all of my symptoms, at least temporarily.
Today I had my first official session in the Language Lab. In there, you use headphones to listen to recordings that follow your lesson plan in class. You also have a microphone so you can record your voice and send it to the teacher who evaluates your progress. The pain in the ass part of it is you're expected to turn in your best recording, so mistakes are frowned upon. While that makes sense, it can get frustrating if you're recording a two or three minute lesson and you stumble on the last question, forcing you to do the whole thing over again. I suppose it's all good practice but it can drive you a little crazy. I need to get a picture of myself wearing the headphones, they look pretty silly.
After lunch it was time for the News class. Naturally, the main topic of the day was yesterday's election. It was a big victory for the LDP so we took a look at the "big five" newspapers in Japan which all featured a very happy Koizumi on the front page. Three of the five also showed a very sad Okada who is probably going to resign over his party's losses.
We also talked a lot about the kisha clubs which is a rather fascinating element in Japanese society. Every major government agency as well as most major Japanese corporations have a circle of reporters assigned to work in their offices. These reporters form "clubs" with membership dues, group activities and other general camaraderie-building activities. The club is the only contact the media has with that particular company or agency and they all share their information (in theory), so no one "scoops" anyone or really does much work at all. Indeed, the relationship between the club and its sponsor is very cozy which many have called into question. How can the media effectively and objectively cover anyone with whom they work so closely?
Alright, let's get back to my own dilemmas. After class I went to the computer room to check my e-mail and such. When I sat down the girl using the computer next to me was sniffling. I offered her a tissue and she said "no thanks." After a minute or two it became clear that she was weeping. I didn't want to pry but I could tell she was writing something in Microsoft Word, probably a letter to someone back home. It obviously upset her very much and she was openly crying on and off while I sat next to her. I felt like a tool. I wanted to say something, but what? Does she really want my advice or help or anything? And the longer I sat there, the more awkward I felt. Finally, when I was done, I couldn't take it anymore. I asked very politely if "everything was alright" while apologizing for being nosy. She insisted she was fine, said thank you, and I left.
I routinely find myself in situations like this where someone nearby is obviously overcome with an emotion and I have no idea how to react. It pains me to see other people cry (most of the time) but did I do the right thing? Why don't I know how to behave in these situations? I honestly feel like a robot when it comes to emotional issues, be they personal or from others around me. I've been given the capacity to feel things but I never know what to do when faced with human feelings. It's like I'm goddamn Data.*
* Note to Star Trek purists: Yes, I am aware that Data was an android and not a robot. Are you also aware that he was, in reality, just a guy wearing a lot of makeup?
Monday mornings are rough because my first class is at nine in the morning. It double-sucked today because I'm clearly coming down with something, probably a cold. Lots of sniffles and a drip with plenty of coughing. Luckily, I brought along a decent number of cough drops in my backpack which help sooth all of my symptoms, at least temporarily.
Today I had my first official session in the Language Lab. In there, you use headphones to listen to recordings that follow your lesson plan in class. You also have a microphone so you can record your voice and send it to the teacher who evaluates your progress. The pain in the ass part of it is you're expected to turn in your best recording, so mistakes are frowned upon. While that makes sense, it can get frustrating if you're recording a two or three minute lesson and you stumble on the last question, forcing you to do the whole thing over again. I suppose it's all good practice but it can drive you a little crazy. I need to get a picture of myself wearing the headphones, they look pretty silly.
After lunch it was time for the News class. Naturally, the main topic of the day was yesterday's election. It was a big victory for the LDP so we took a look at the "big five" newspapers in Japan which all featured a very happy Koizumi on the front page. Three of the five also showed a very sad Okada who is probably going to resign over his party's losses.
We also talked a lot about the kisha clubs which is a rather fascinating element in Japanese society. Every major government agency as well as most major Japanese corporations have a circle of reporters assigned to work in their offices. These reporters form "clubs" with membership dues, group activities and other general camaraderie-building activities. The club is the only contact the media has with that particular company or agency and they all share their information (in theory), so no one "scoops" anyone or really does much work at all. Indeed, the relationship between the club and its sponsor is very cozy which many have called into question. How can the media effectively and objectively cover anyone with whom they work so closely?
Alright, let's get back to my own dilemmas. After class I went to the computer room to check my e-mail and such. When I sat down the girl using the computer next to me was sniffling. I offered her a tissue and she said "no thanks." After a minute or two it became clear that she was weeping. I didn't want to pry but I could tell she was writing something in Microsoft Word, probably a letter to someone back home. It obviously upset her very much and she was openly crying on and off while I sat next to her. I felt like a tool. I wanted to say something, but what? Does she really want my advice or help or anything? And the longer I sat there, the more awkward I felt. Finally, when I was done, I couldn't take it anymore. I asked very politely if "everything was alright" while apologizing for being nosy. She insisted she was fine, said thank you, and I left.
I routinely find myself in situations like this where someone nearby is obviously overcome with an emotion and I have no idea how to react. It pains me to see other people cry (most of the time) but did I do the right thing? Why don't I know how to behave in these situations? I honestly feel like a robot when it comes to emotional issues, be they personal or from others around me. I've been given the capacity to feel things but I never know what to do when faced with human feelings. It's like I'm goddamn Data.*
* Note to Star Trek purists: Yes, I am aware that Data was an android and not a robot. Are you also aware that he was, in reality, just a guy wearing a lot of makeup?
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Those situations are uncomfortable for most people. She was probably uncomfortable herself, crying in public like that. You aren't a robot, because you do feel bad for the other person. Not knowing how to react is very common. I'd say you did the right thing. Offering a tissue and asking if everything is alright is what I would've done. Any more would've been too much. What else was there to do?
Yes, a tissue in one hand and a sledge hammer in the other... shows your gentle, yet not afraid to be firm.
コメントがあります？ Type something, please. It's less work for me.# posted by 
: 13 September, 2005 16:07
: 13 September, 2005 16:07When leaving comments, please don't remain Anonymous. Click on "Other" and pick a name!
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