2025/01/12 [Sun]
Hi everyone, Jorge here again. How’s your long weekend going? Are you celebrating for any special reason? Tomorrow is the Coming of Age Ceremony here in Japan. Did you know that in Japan, you come of age at 20?
What age marks adulthood in your country? In the US, it’s quite peculiar. At 18, you’re considered an adult for many things—marriage, voting, taking out loans, starting businesses, and getting your driver’s license without needing a learner’s permit. But, you can’t drink or smoke until you’re 21. It’s a bit strange, right? Here in Japan, once you turn 20, you can legally do all those things without waiting. I’ve heard from international friends that their countries often have one age for adulthood, without extra limitations.
As a teacher in a small town, I would often see my former high school students return for photos in a special area of the school. They’d take pictures with their parents and sometimes with their homeroom teacher if they were still teaching there. It was always heartwarming to see them, hear about their work or university life, and see how much they’ve grown. I still keep in touch with some of their parents on social media, and it’s fun to see family photos.
Interestingly, many of my coworkers would avoid certain areas of the city to drink and wouldn’t attend local festivals, probably to avoid being seen by their students outside of school. I remember feeling a bit strange talking to my teachers outside of school when I was a student. But I appreciated when they kept conversations non-school-related. Some students are curious about teachers’ lives outside of work. I had many students who would spend their lunch breaks chatting with their favorite teachers.
During my teaching days, I often ate lunch with my students, which my coworkers found unusual. They preferred to use the hour for planning or resting, which is understandable. I found that maintaining a good relationship with students, within reason, helped them understand why certain things were necessary. Direct communication and explanations can lead to better understanding rather than acting superior because of age or position. Maybe I learned this from my own cool teachers. It helped me build good relationships with my students. Even those who didn’t like me much would still talk to me outside of school, which I found amusing.
It’s important to try to understand what others might be going through, even if it’s challenging. This is a valuable life skill I practiced during my teaching days and continue to use in all my workplaces. Have you ever tried to put yourself in someone else’s shoes? It’s not always easy, but it can make a big difference.
Tomorrow will be a wonderful day for everyone turning 20 this year. Do you know anyone who is coming of age? Maybe it’s you! If you do, be sure to congratulate them and remind them to drink responsibly if they choose to celebrate.
