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Phrase: Look out for number one
Some Japanese look up to and even admire Americans and maybe even Canadians because we are independent and individualistic. Well, looking out for number one is not as easy as they may think it is.
When you look out for number one, you are your number one priority.
It may seem selfish from a Japanese point of view, but that’s the way it is.
You must act in your self-interest to ensure you have the advantage.
If you don’t, the consequences could be dire.
In Japan, companies traditionally support their workers, and workers are historically loyal to their employers.
Yes, I know it’s changing, but it’s nothing like in North America, where it’s common for workers to lose their jobs due to cutbacks.
Even government workers are not safe in their careers.
This year, in June, the Ontario government laid off over 400 government employees.
It’s a drawback of an individualist society.
Your job security is your priority, not your employer’s.
You must look out for number one every hour of every day of every week of every month of every year.
If you don’t, you may find yourself left out in the cold (or heat).
Japan got a little taste of this during the Great Recession (Lehman Shock).
Many semi-permanent autoworkers lost their jobs and homes because they lived in company dormitories.
The need to look out for number one is why so many people in North America change jobs.
They have to go to a company where they feel safe and secure.
If they don’t and subsequently lose their job, then it’s their responsibility to find another one.
Some Japanese may admire Americans for their individualism, but I wonder if they truly understand how challenging and stressful it is to be independent and look out for number one.
Flesch-Kincaid Readability Test
This post is understandable by someone with at least an 8th-grade education (age 13-14).
On the Flesch-Kincaid reading-ease test, this post scores 62.
The higher the score on a scale of 0 – 100, the easier the passage is to read.