Learn From The Japanese

While the country is still grappling to come to terms with the recent disasters, Japan still has to contend with over 1,000 of aftershocks. That is not my point, I received this email from a friend and I think we all need to ask "would we have reacted the same way in the face of a disaster or a major natural mishap". Every single country needs to ask that question, and to be honest, not many would be able to emulate how the Japanese faced adversity of the mightiest force.

Though they were open to start the "blame game" on everything and everyone, that was surprisingly mild. I know if it was in the US, a hundred and one names and institutions would have been blamed directly / indirectly for the occurence.

There was minimal panic for groceries, unlike the mad stampede in parts of China ... for salt!

Why? Why do we react differently? Is it our upbringing? We may not need to follow each and every attribute but take from each what is lacking in us, and keep asking why. Are we instilling the right values, the right priorities, the right sense of fortitude and belief through our government, as parents and as friends.

Where did the "calm" come from? How did the "suffering with dignity" aspect come about?


1. THE CALM :
Not a single visual of chest-beating or wild grief. Sorrow and introspection have been elevated.
2. THE DIGNITY :
Disciplined queues for water and groceries. Not a rough word or a crude gesture.
3. THE ABILITY :
The incredible architects, for instance. Buildings swayed but didn’t fall.
4. THE GRACE :
People bought only what they needed for the present, so everybody could get something.
5. THE ORDER :
No looting in shops. No honking and no overtaking on the roads.
6. THE SACRIFICE :
Fifty workers stayed back to pump sea water in the N-reactors. How will they ever be repaid?
7. THE TENDERNESS :
Restaurants cut prices. An unguarded ATM is left alone. The strong cared for the weak.
8. THE TRAINING :
The old and the children, everyone knew exactly what to do. And they did just that.
9. THE MEDIA :
They showed magnificent restraint in the bulletins. No silly reporters. Only calm and professional journalism minus the sensationalism.
10. THE CONSCIENCE :
When the power went off in a store, people put things back on the shelves and left quietly. That's Japan .

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