Quiet Construction
I watched this construction site for about 15 minutes today. I used to
be in construction, so I always stop and notice any site I come across.
The sequence of events always fascinates me. What strikes me about
Japanese construction sites is that they are especially clean,
extremely organized, and pretty well contained. But even more
interesting is that they are generally very quiet. You hear hammers and
equipment, sure, but no radios blasting, no screaming and yelling, and
really very little conversation. I always try to figure out how the
guys communicate. I mean, I`ve never been on a quiet construction site
in my life. Here, they are all over the place. Amazing.
Posted by quiet on February 02, 2008 at 08:40 PM JST #
I saw the same thing in Sasebo when I lived there. I would watch them build super tankers without so much as a word. It was almost magical. I enjoyed that kind of hard working quiet and still admire them for that. I would love to adopt more Japanese styles of work in the US, and other things I could live without.
Posted by David Vasta on February 04, 2008 at 11:14 AM JST #
David ... that's cool. But how do they communicate!?! Drives me nuts. :)
Posted by Jim Grisanzio on February 04, 2008 at 01:49 PM JST #
I think they just know where things are going to be and how to put them there. I was thinking about it after I posted. They also had some iron works in the ship yards and I know they talked but they moved with such exactness. It was of course hot there but they always seemed to have a rhythm to it.
There was one little japanese guy that came to the ship everyday and would work with the english speaking crew to get the local workers helping us. He would just point and give a few words. They seem to really listen in Japan and I take that with me today.
Japan is a magical place and I am sure some english reading person in Japan is reading this and saying, What the hell are these two giajin or gaikokujin talking about.
I still was always amazed with the morning procession of mopeds into the shipyard. There were waves of 30 -50 and they all made a certain corner without some much as a problem.
I think if we were to pay attention they all have SONY mind communicators and SONY has just not released it to the US yet......
Thanks for the post. Makes me think about the time I did get to spend in Japan. Thanks to the people of SASEBO for having me.
-David
Posted by David Vasta on February 05, 2008 at 11:53 AM JST #
I mean, I`ve never been on a quite construction site in my life
the "quite" should be "quiet"
:)
Posted by Christopher Mahan on June 19, 2008 at 09:12 AM JST #
Thanks, Christopher. :)
Posted by Jim Grisanzio on June 20, 2008 at 12:23 PM JST #