I zipped into UniQlo at Shinjuku Stn to buy another Silky Dry undershirt. The store manager was a young American fellow who is apparently the only foreign manager in Japan at UniQlo. That was impressive.
Then I heard him do the Irrasshaimase thing and his voice went up quite a bit in pitch. I told him how friends have commented on my voice rising when I speak Japanese but that it isn't done on purpose (Stephanie, do you remember?). He said that the company policy states they have to say their sales spiel in a higher tone than they speak because they have found that it gives more favourable results.
If UniQlo actively does it then I imagine other retailers train their staff similarly.
That was an eye opener because it never occurred to me that the higher voice would actually be dictated in the training manuals!
He did say, "You gotta follow what the bosses say, though it does make me feel silly."
Time to catch my train. Have a great day!
I love you!
Cam
I wondered why so many were like that, though I hafta say, chicks talking in a higher voice gets my favorable attention more than guys talking in a higher voice.... might just be my own cultural 'acceptability" shining through there though.
ReplyDeleteHold on tight to the train once you catch it! <3
I understand totally, Jaime. Guys affecting that high voice just doesn't seem natural to me.
ReplyDeleteI do remember... after awhile, it started to give me a headache... do you remember me asking "why do they talk so fake?"... hee hee hee
ReplyDeleteI do! I also remember you askimg me why my voice went up when I spoke. That was not faked. Miss Japan at all?
ReplyDeleteT.O.N.S.
ReplyDelete