Cultural Differences

The more I work with my Japanese counterparts, the more obvious the cultural differences become. For instance: all Japanese employees wear a company uniform (tunic, trousers & cap) in one solid color. Somewhat different than American companies, but pretty conventional. Where it becomes less conventional is the gender role. The mens' uniform is light blue. The womens' uniform is, you guessed it, pink. That's right: men wear blue, women wear pink. It's also interesting to observe customs during lunch. The men sit together, the women do likewise. The only exceptions are the women who work on the production floor side by side with the men (very few). They sit with their co-workers. I feel like I'm in grade school all over again. For more details, see the following links: Salaryman & Office Lady. From what I've been told (and yes, I've asked), and observed, these articles still accurately describe life in the workplace here in Japan.