It was bewildering to see the employees and supervisors wandering around in regular clothes, no uniforms. In some cases—or more precisely, based on their clothes—you couldn’t tell who was there to receive public services and who was there to provide them. I got so turned around at first, especially when I was attended by an employee with an incredibly disheveled look or led around by someone who appeared downright sketchy at first glance. Setting aside the lack of uniforms, some would continue to chat away with the coworkers next to them, to the point that I didn’t know whether they were even listening to what I needed. There were times when I simply stood there, wondering whether they had even done what I asked.
Back in Japan, every role in every institution had a well-mannered supervisor wearing an appropriate uniform. It felt almost like being on a conveyor belt, where employees would wave their magic wands, effortlessly bringing every procedure and task to completion.
Japan has changed a bit since the days of businessmen in dress shirts and ties. These days, it’s more common to see men in certain professions wearing polos and jackets—though that never would have been the case before.
The times have changed for women, as well. Working women now wear plain, simple styles. It even seems that jeans and sneakers have become common in certain situations. That also would never have been the case before.
Shifting gears a bit, Italian women are masters at putting on high heels or otherwise showing off their feminine figures when they go on dates, accenting their look with handbags, jewelry, and makeup for a perfectly put-together outfit that highlights their individual style. Dates tend to take place at romantic locations, and the women are fantastic at creating a bubbling atmosphere—telling jokes while tipping their wine glasses, actively speaking their minds in conversations, and generally creating an open, honest vibe. When Italian women dress up and go out, they are absolutely the star of the show.
What about Japanese women, then? I’ve heard that they rarely wear high heels anymore. I’m guessing they pull off a kind of effortless elegance with a few finely-crafted jewelry pieces to create a look with understated charm. I think Japanese women are better at selecting outfits consciously tailored to match the situation or the company they’re with rather than using fashion as a way to express their identity. It seems like in Japan, the talk is more about crafting just the right look for a given occasion. Even when it comes to conversation itself, I’m thinking that Japanese women probably excel at being great listeners rather than at expressing their personal opinions or beliefs.
So what about the Italian men who take the Italian ladies out on dates? Next to their decked-out partners, the men dress surprisingly simply and casually. And maybe it’s because they often travel by motorbike, but you often see them looking a bit sporty as well. They’ll also carry the lady’s handbag for them, give them their jacket or sweater if they get chilly outside on cold nights, and text them that night or the next day to say they enjoyed the evening. It’s really lovely what the Italian men do to make their ladies happy!
