Working in a restaurant
In Japan I'm working in an Italian restaurant. At the beginning it was really tough, but now I feel really better because the guys of the staff are really funny and all close friends.
Servicing in a Restaurant in Japan is really different from other countries.
When clients come for example, the whole staff must say:"IRASHAIMASSE!". When people go out we must all say: "ARIGATOO GOZAIMASU". It's really tough for me to remember to say it.
In Italy, in some restaurants, the staff shows sometimes unhappy feeling when a client arrives (maybe because they have to work!).
The first time I entered a Japanese restaurant (as a client) I felt a little embarrassed. In fact it's not possible to stay without nobody noticing you as the whole staff shouts:"IRASHAIMASSE!!!!!" when you get in.
The first thing I must do when clients sit down is to serve them OSHIBORI (look at the photo). What is it? It's a wet and hot napkin that you use to wash your hands. After that, I must bring them a glass of water, which is free. So, if you haven’t got a lot of money (as most young Italians) it is really a good opportunity, because you can eat without buying any beverages!
Normally it's not so difficult being a waiter in a Japanese restaurant. It's important to be really kind and not to pour everything on their clothes (but I think this precaution is valid all over the world). But I said, normally.
In fact one day I had to service 4 people. I went with my big smile to the table and I tried to service oshibori to the first one. This person looked like a statue. What happened??? I tried again but nothing, it seemed that he had been struck by a lightning....oh, maybe I smell so bad?? I looked around really scared and someone made me understand to try with the next person. I tried and he got oshibori! WOW! I tried again with the first one and he got it! double WOW!!!!! Wonderful, is it a Japanese game?!
But it wasn't finished I had to service other two people... mmmm..so I thought: "who is the miser boy???" I tried with the first one and... ACH! I got wrong...I got the miser boy......
After that experience I understood that in Japan there is a hierarchy also to service in the restaurant!
How difficult is life for a poor Italian who lives here....