Hello again,
Today’s topic is Office Ladies, more commonly referred to as OLs. The duties of the OLs in Japanese companies are not specified, but they normally fetch coffee and do other menial tasks. OLs are seen as “outsiders” of the company. For example, if a salary man finishes a task, the boss will san “gokurosan,” a form of thanks which implies that it was the person’s duty to fulfill the task. However, when an OL completes her work, she is told “arigatou” which is more like the “thank you” we use.
Earlier, I used the term “outsiders.” Have you heard of one of the many forms of Japanese relationships called “uchi/soto”? Uchi is (hopefully) the kanji for house, and soto is the kanji for outside…and also the first kanji for the term gaijin (an unflatering word for foreigner). Uchi can be many things, but it mainly deals with those who are members of a person’s own group (family, company, ect.). Soto refers to those who are not members of a person’s group.
OLs are usually hired based on looks and youthfulness and it is common for OLs to use work as hunting grounds for a husband. They are also fired after having their first baby. In addition, the OL is paid far less than the salary man and wages are generally stable; however, the OLs’ advantages include being able to watch the desperate struggle of the men as they try to gain better positions in the office, being able to get favors for the men they work with (being treated to lunch and presents from business trips), and the ability to completely ruin a man’s chances of success. How? The power of gossip!
See you next week.
Ja mata.
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