Sunday May 27, 2012

JAPAN NEWS AND DISCUSSION

If you had a big date planned for tonight and your boss suddenly asked you to work overtime, would you tell the boss no or cancel your date?

Have Your Say Aug. 21, 2008 - 06:42AM JST ( 54 )

Order by Time Order by Popularity

54 Comments

0

Wottock_HuntAug. 21, 2008 - 07:18AM JST

I would tell my boss something a little more emphatic than a mere no. He's a tool.
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OssanULTRAAug. 21, 2008 - 07:46AM JST

I'm pretty certain that it would depend on with whom I had the date.
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some14someAug. 21, 2008 - 08:01AM JST

I would not say 'no' to my boss, next date with next partner may be more promising (incase, scheduled partner is not happy with my decision)
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TheguyNextdoorAug. 21, 2008 - 08:36AM JST

It would be simple...."NMP" not my problem.
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lipscombeAug. 21, 2008 - 08:38AM JST

I'd say no.
0

chibamanAug. 21, 2008 - 08:41AM JST

Ha ha! This is a "are you Japanese or not" question!
0

seimeiAug. 21, 2008 - 09:20AM JST

Let me think...

Choice A - Date with stunning girlie or

Choice B - Work and talk with boss

It's a tough one...
0

AltriaAug. 21, 2008 - 09:25AM JST

Get the date to bring pizza and beer to the office.
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seimeiAug. 21, 2008 - 09:30AM JST

Altria you are the smartest of the lot, even if you have been watching too many OL "movies"
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buttamimiAug. 21, 2008 - 09:30AM JST

I would say yes and thank him for asking me.
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happyfaceAug. 21, 2008 - 10:21AM JST

i'd say no...unless it was my fault that i had to do overtime, like unfinished work on a deadline.
0

SargeAug. 21, 2008 - 10:45AM JST

007 - What would you do when your boss fires you for telling him something a little more emphatic than a mere no?
0

SargeAug. 21, 2008 - 10:46AM JST

"I would say yes and thank him for asking me."

Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!
0

bushloverAug. 21, 2008 - 10:57AM JST

I would pretend not to hear the boss and walk out.
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SargeAug. 21, 2008 - 11:11AM JST

bushover - What would you do when your boss fired you for pretending not to hear him and walking out?
0

XennonAug. 21, 2008 - 11:39AM JST

I would probably cancel my date and do the work.

Then I would get really really frustrated at my boss.

Then I would probably go and stab some innocent people in a bookstore or in Akihabara.

Or....

I would tell my boss "sorry, no can do" from the start and save some lives.
0

GWAug. 21, 2008 - 11:40AM JST

just say nihongo wakaranai as yr walking out the door
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tclhAug. 21, 2008 - 12:34PM JST

It all depends on the importance of the work and the importance of the date at that time...and it also depends on the kind of boss.
0

BettingAug. 21, 2008 - 12:43PM JST

When I go to an interview I always tell the interviewer I'm not available for overtime at all, absolutely zero. So if s/he asks me to do overtime I say .... ?
0

Patrick SmashAug. 21, 2008 - 12:50PM JST

The Labor Law states that you only have to agree to one-hour's overtime each day to a maximum working week of 40 hours. It makes for interesting reading, but many companies aren't interested in the laws of the land.

The Japanese usually get out of these situations by claiming someone died and they have to go to the "otsuya". Go ni ireba, and all that. The locals would lie, and get laid, and so would I.
0

NessieAug. 21, 2008 - 01:36PM JST

Depends how hot she is. The boss, that is.
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CrimsonsilAug. 21, 2008 - 02:23PM JST

If they really need the help I'd stay, but otherwise I'd tell them I had to be somewhere.
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TPOJAug. 21, 2008 - 02:30PM JST

It speaks volumes about the situation here that this question is a difficult one :P
0

SargeAug. 21, 2008 - 02:33PM JST

"The Labor Law states that you only have to agree to one hour's OT each day"

Yeah, but your boss states if you don't finish your work, you're fired!
0

TheNewZenAug. 21, 2008 - 02:33PM JST

I am with the people that say it depends.

Depends on the type of date and with whom and also on what work that needs to be done in the overtime and why.
0

maninjapan79Aug. 21, 2008 - 02:43PM JST

It all depends on the Cup size......
0

NessieAug. 21, 2008 - 02:53PM JST

Third option: invite her along.
0

timeonAug. 21, 2008 - 03:04PM JST

it actually happened to me once, both the date and the work (had to submit an important paper that night) . I'm lucky that my boss is a cool guy, I explained him the situation and he stayed overnight and saved my *ss. and I got bot the girl and the paper :)
0

AltriaAug. 21, 2008 - 03:11PM JST

You could avoid these hassles by dating your boss.
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OkinawamikeAug. 21, 2008 - 04:03PM JST

You could avoid these hassles by being the boss.
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dmag1Aug. 21, 2008 - 04:23PM JST

Happened to me once years ago. I opted for the overtime (company really needed me there) and she didn't like it. Wouldn't even take my calls. Turns out she married a guy I knew of and made him absolutely miserable.

Sooo, I lost out on a night of lust by doing the right thing, and saved myself from getting involved with a monster.

Once in a while, overtime rules.
0

SargeAug. 21, 2008 - 04:55PM JST

"You could avoid these hassles by dating your boss"

And create new hassles!
0

greensatindressAug. 21, 2008 - 05:00PM JST

Work and dating both are terrible in Japan. The best option is to move to Europe.
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AltriaAug. 21, 2008 - 05:13PM JST

Anyway, if it's a special lady and she's really into me, she'll be happy to wait at the restaurant with a few drinks to warm up until I'm finished at the office.

Gusto let you stay as long as you like, even if you only order the drink bar.
0

chibamanAug. 21, 2008 - 05:20PM JST

All class. Keep up the good work.
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WMDAug. 21, 2008 - 07:07PM JST

umm, if I thought I was going to get it later, my boss wouldn't see me going out the door for the dust.
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NICOLE77Aug. 21, 2008 - 08:02PM JST

BTW; overtime in japan is paid at 1.25%.

My answer; Depends on what the work is. If its something that obviously cant wait, then i would do it. If it can, i would talk to my boss and commit to overtime the following night...
0

Blue_TigerAug. 21, 2008 - 10:40PM JST

I'd say "no", and I've said "no" before, even here in Japan. If its regular time, that's opne thing, but overtime is extra, so no way...
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KitsuneYoukaiAug. 21, 2008 - 11:10PM JST

I would tell my boss that I had plans and that I could stay late the next day. If it was something he/she wanted by the next day I would say that I'm sorry but my plans are important. It also depends ont he date, whether it really means anything to me. I woudl make sure it was not a recurring thing. I do this now. I'm very up front about not working overtime especially since i am salaried I can only ask to get paid OT for anything past 12hrs of OT. I've been there and done that working 80 hours in 1 week. No more.
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usaexpatAug. 22, 2008 - 12:09AM JST

Hmmm, let me think... I'd tell my boss no, plain and simple. I'm all for being a team player but I've always made it clear that my life comes before the company. Maybe I get a pass because I'm good at what I do or maybe I get the "gaijin" pass.
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akagumaAug. 22, 2008 - 12:28AM JST

simple. tell them both to get screwed and get drunk instead
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Triple888Aug. 22, 2008 - 04:18AM JST

Yeah, I would work overtime. My girlfriend would naturally understand this, otherwise she wouldn't be my girlfriend in the first place.
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Good_JorbAug. 22, 2008 - 04:49AM JST

I always make sure that my contract includes bankable overtime, that way if I miss a date with the wife becuase of overtime, later I get to spend the whole day with her. After tax season, I usually have a couple of extra weeks for vaction time.
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YoudontknowAug. 22, 2008 - 09:13AM JST

Depends on the job and the boss and the money. A Japanese woman will always understand that work takes priority over everything else, so she'll be fine with canceling, because 'Shogunai!'
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DeepAir65Aug. 22, 2008 - 11:09AM JST

This is not just a Japanese thing by the way! It really depends on the situation but if it is the right partner and it is early days I would hope they understand why I have to work.
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motytrahAug. 22, 2008 - 11:41AM JST

I thought the Japanese way was to work the overtime AND not claim the extra cash.
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kimiganoAug. 23, 2008 - 01:39AM JST

Depends on the date. A girl can always wait.
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rrantaAug. 23, 2008 - 02:13AM JST

Depends on the lady, but also on how important the work is. if its really important to the company, then I'd try my ladies patience and work overtime. ( more money to spend on her?)
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Damax6Aug. 23, 2008 - 11:16AM JST

sorry , but i will go with the work, she would forgive me the next time i buy her something, women love material stuff that they can flaunt,and show off with.

If i do too much overtime, she will be getting it from another dude and she will say"you work all the time,i need attention not just gifts" i am lonely and i have time to spend the money you gave me to entertain my "new"special friend. he gives me more attention than you....eeehhhhhhh.
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retirednavygaijinAug. 23, 2008 - 01:48PM JST

Date your boss and then there's no problem!
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AlliedForcesAug. 24, 2008 - 01:32AM JST

People should weigh up the pros and cons for working or seeing a woman.

To use women in the way the last poster says, will end in a lonely old age, fully deserved i might add.