Chapter 3.4.3

Contents

Let's Party!
1. Forgetting the Years
Conclusion
Related Resources

Let's Party!

Forgetting the Years

At the end of December every year, various organizations in Japan hold a "Bounenkai (ぼうねんかい)," a traditional end-of-year gathering in Japan, mainly at work or among friends, similar to a Taiwanese tailgate, in order to thank each other for their hard work and mutual support during the past year. The Sato Research Laboratory's New Year's Eve Party is similar to this one, allowing everyone to enjoy a fun time together in addition to their busy research schedule.

The History of Memorable Years

There are many different stories about the origins of the New Year's Eve party, but many people believe that it dates back to the Muromachi period. At that time, an event called "Nenborei" was popular among the nobles of the court, and is considered to be the prototype of Nenborei. Imagine reciting poems while looking back on the past year and looking forward to the future.

During the Edo period, similar events such as "Nama-kai" or "Shouwa-kai" began to spread among the common people. It is said that these events were originally organized by the employees of merchants to reward them for their hard work during the year and to strengthen their relationship with each other. The samurai class also had similar events, and at the end of the year, they would gather their retainers to eat and drink together.

After the Meiji era, New Year's Eve parties became popular among companies and other organizations, and gradually evolved into what we see today. During the period of high economic growth, the company's New Year's Eve party was a great success, with a lot of delicacies and delicious food. Nowadays, however, there are many different types of parties, ranging from casual stand-up parties to small-scale dinners.

Characteristics of Memorable Years Party

goalThe main purpose is to reflect on the past, thank each other for the year's efforts, and deepen friendships with friends.
Location: Most of the time it will be an izakaya or western-style restaurant, but it may also be hosted in the company's conference room or at your own home.
CateringThe most common menu items are sashimi, yakitori, and hot pot. Common dishes include sashimi, yakitori, and hot pot.
participant: Participants include a wide variety of people including colleagues, supervisors, friends and family members.
culturally oriented: Karaoke, games or raffles are common activities.
What to expect in the New Year: The Annual Meeting is not only a time to reflect on the past, but also a time to talk about what we are looking forward to in the New Year. Some teachers may present a calendar for the next year.

Drinking party etiquette at a restaurant (student version)

It's important to have good potluck etiquette to help you make a good impression on your teachers and seniors and build good relationships.

pre-packaged meal

Punctuality is paramount. Few Japanese people we know are ever late, so it is important not to be late for a party with Japanese people. If you are going to be late for a party with a Japanese person, you must tell them in advance.
Seating arrangements. Younger people should be seated in the "げざ"(げざ), a seat near the entrance to the restaurant. It's also important to show a positive attitude by offering to help with ordering and serving. (Point: The farther away from the entrance, the more senior you are.)
Jacket Custody. When teachers or seniors take off their coats, you should help them to hang them on the hangers.

potluck

First drink. In Japan, it's common to hear the phrase "とりあえず生ビール" (とりあえず生ビール, "Let's have a draft beer first"), which means that in order to make the process of drinking a glass of wine smooth, it's best to choose a beer that's easy to serve. If you don't know how to drink, you can have a sip before switching to another drink. (In recent years, the trend of not having a beer for the first drink has also been on the rise.)
Cheers. Unlike the Chinese word "乾杯", which means "to drink up" in one gulp, the word "敬酒" is more of a "toasting" word. There are a few things to note:
- Please note that you can only eat after the organizers and others have ordered a toast, otherwise you will have to wait for everyone else's portion to be served, even if your own beer is served first.
- To toast, one's glass should be lower than that of one's teacher or predecessor.
Pouring. The following two points should be noted.
- If you see that your teacher's or senior's glass is less than half full, you need to replenish it immediately.
- Use both hands when holding bottles of beer or sake bottles, and pour with the label facing outward.
- When someone pours you another drink, take the glass with both hands, take a sip and put it back on the table. If you really can't drink, politely decline.
Meal Times. Wait until your teacher or senior starts eating.
The way we talk.: If possible, try to do the following two things.
- Ask a question. Show your learning attitude by asking questions. Don't just talk about yourself, but listen too.
- Favorites: The other side. Respect what the other person is saying, praise and agree with them in a timely manner, and create a relaxed and pleasant atmosphere for the conversation.
  (As a foreigner, I may not be fluent in Japanese, but I can get a lot of information from it if I try to listen carefully.)

after dinner

Express your thanks to. You can express your gratitude to your teachers or seniors by taking the train back or the next day. If you don't have a chance to meet them in person, you can also send them an e-mail or a message through LINE. Especially when you are invited, you should always say "ご馳走様でした(Thank you for your hospitality.)". When you are invited, be sure to say "Thank you for your hospitality.

By observing the above etiquette and establishing good interpersonal relationships, you will have more valuable people willing to help you, which will not only help you in your future studies, but also enable you to learn the basic etiquette of workplace gatherings early. Therefore, try to treat dinners as valuable learning opportunities, actively participate in them and learn well.

Sato-ken's New Year's Eve Party

On December 14th, after celebrating Mr. Murata's birthday, all the members of the Office went to the izakaya-lined "Mizunokuchi" station, where they were guided by Ms. Nakata and Ms. Wada to the restaurant they had made reservations for. The event included a review of the year's events, gossip, and sharing photos of teachers' children. We drank, laughed, and enjoyed a fun time.

Trivia

The New Year's Eve party is a custom at the end of the year in Japan, and this event not only enhances the relationship between the members of the laboratory, but also allows us to review the interesting events of this year and prepare for the new year in a relaxing and pleasant atmosphere. At the same time, I felt the warmth and support of the Laboratory as a big family.

Conclusion

The exchange year at the Sato Research Center has been full of challenges and growth. From the initial adjustment to Japan, to the wonderful moments I spent with the members of the lab, I learned a lot, not only academically, but also in terms of life skills and interpersonal relationships.