4.21.2011

Japanese Honor

Japanese Honor It was pointed out by ABC News that of the 1.3 billion Japanese citizens, not one single incident of looting occurred. (quite the dramatic opposite during Katrina) In fact, actions of care and generosity have been demonstrated throughout the disaster by the stricken Japanese. Those few who had running water put a sign outside their home offering water to those in need. Even those with little food shared what they had. Stores gave much away to the public. No one screamed and raged over being stuck in 7 and 8 hour lines for rationed gasoline. They calmly waited. That is something we surely would not see in this country. 10 things we can learn from the Japanese 1. THE CALM Not a single visual of chest-beating or wild grief. Sorrow itself has 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. Just understanding. 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 reporting. 10. THE CONSCIENCE When the power went off in a store, people put things back on the shelves and left quietly!

2 comments:

Courtney said...

Man, our society definitely needs to take some lessons from the Japanese. It makes me happy though to see that there are still people out there with good values!

Rachel said...

The differences are astounding for sure!