The word that describes a nation

Student
July 25, 2024
Student
July 25, 2024

By David Uhercsak 

Have you ever visited a country and noticed a simple word or phrase that seems to be present in every aspect of life? For me, that word is “Otsukaresamadesu,” which means “thank you for your hard work” in Japanese. 

I arrived in Japan a month ago and was immediately struck by the prevalence of this phrase. Every employee I met, whether in a store or in my workplace, greeted me with this phrase. It made me wonder how this simple word could describe a nation. 

During my first few days in Osaka, I saw a person in a police-like outfit standing at a pedestrian crossing. He was making sure that everyone crossed the road safely and that cars stopped when the light said so. These people can be seen all over Japan, performing seemingly simple tasks to ensure the safety and well-being of others. And yet, they do it with such dedication and commitment that it’s clear they want to be useful. 

This mindset of wanting to be useful, not just as an individual but as part of a team, is what I believe makes Japan such a strong nation. Every team member wants to contribute to the greater good, not just for themselves but for the sake of others as well. It’s this collective effort that moves the nation forward, and with it, the people within. 

I was surprised to learn that many Japanese people I met have no desire to leave their country. They want to give back to their nation and contribute to its success. This mindset of putting the community and the country first is something that I believe we can all learn from. 

For me, the phrase “Otsukaresamadesu” has changed my perspective on work. I used to see work as a means to earn money and advance my career. But now, I understand that it’s about being useful and making a positive impact on the lives of others. If we all worked with this mindset, our lives and the world around us would be much better. 

In conclusion, the word “Otsukaresamadesu” is more than just a simple greeting. It represents a way of thinking and a mindset that describes a nation. If we all strive to be useful for the sake of others and ourselves, we can make a positive impact on the world around us. 

 

 

The word that describes a nation

by | Jul 25, 2024 | Student Stories