As we begin the wind down to 2015, Christmas parties are now in full swing and people are looking forward to time off from the world. Just for one day of the year everything comes to a standstill and the only activity left is indulging in good food and company. At least, this is the version of events on our side of the globe. Over in Japan, Christmas is just another day at work and it’s the New Year holiday that people have on their minds.
Although it’s not a Christmas party, the Japanese bōnenkai (literally, ‘forget year party’) provides the opportunity to reflect on the year gone by and give each other a figurative pat on the back. This is an informal affair which takes between friends or more usually between colleagues as the Japanese equivalent of the office Christmas party.
Many office workers or ‘salarymen’ (white-collar workers) will go down to the local izakaya and enjoy rounds of beer and sake which flow in abundance. Working life in Japan can be pretty tough: relationships in the workplace are governed by a strict hierarchy, reflected clearly in the language used between colleagues, and no one goes home on time (what does “on time” even mean?). The bonenkai is a chance for everyone to let go a little bit as Shacho (the boss) gets obliterated and conversation starts to flow freely. Sitting on cushions on the floor around a low-level table is highly conducive to ‘letting your hair down’, and as everyone tucks into the assortment of shared dishes including sashimi, yakitori and fried rice, warm sake makes its appearance. It’s rude to make senior members of the team poor their own drinks, so junior members of the team, in particular, will be sure to top up the drinks of those sat next to them. There will be some short, slurred speeches from various members of staff to sum up the year and, in typical Japanese fashion, the bōnenkai will be brought to a punctual end with an announcement and one big clap performed simultaneously by everyone after the count of three. Following this, everyone will head to the local train station and the long ride home begins, if you’re in Tokyo, at least.
It’s back to the work the following day and Shacho and the rest of your colleagues will be suffering in silence. But it was a great night and everyone can now look forward to the New Year holiday when all companies close for several days leaving plenty of time for indulging in good food and company.
EVS Translations wishes you a merry Christmas and a happy New Year.
