Differences of customer service

It has been 5 months when I came to Ghent. The most surprised thing is the difference of customer service between Japan and Belgium. When I go to supermarket in Japan, all stuff are standing during working time. They don’t speak and eat in front of customers. It is because it is believed that these things are really rude for customers. Japanese tends to show politeness to others. So shop stuffs do not sit in spite of customers stand. Japanese companies think that “customer is god”. They believe that If customers don’t come, and the store will be closed. So all shop keep it in their mind and do work.

   Have you ever heard “Omotenashi” before? The word is really popular and well-known when it was used in speech to the International Olympic Committee. A dictionary will tell you omotenashi means Japanese way of hospitality. It blends a welcoming spirit with warmth, understanding, and above all respect. For sure, hospitality isn’t unique to any culture or people; most hotels, shops and such in Japan get their staff to follow manuals on service and etiquette. 

   However I think here is quite different. Most of people communicate with customers as real friends. At first, I felt it was too casual. “Why did they talk to me so friendly?” Nowadays, I am getting used to live here, and the way of communicating with customers is not tired, and don’t need to take care too much. I think both of ways are good. So it might be good idea to think it is culture difference and to have fun to experience it.