3 ms·

I've experienced a lot of the same. Work and social life blend. And it's a loss of face to one's family to come home early every day. (Not important enough t

• winter_blue 9y ago
  > Not important enough to work hard? That's a fascinating (but sad) cultural value. Normally (in most prosperous countries) if you cared about your family, you'd come home early to spend time with them. Your spouse and kids put far more value on the time you spend building your relationship with them, hanging out/chilling with them, over any extra material/monetary gain you could bring them. After a certain point, money doesn't bring you any happiness. If you have enough money to cover basic expenses, then your happiness is mostly going to be determined by the quality and depth of your human relationships, your social life, your community, etc. I feel that this line of thinking (excessively working for your family) is something that makes sense in poorer/developing countries like India and China, but it seems like a bad cultural artifact/holdover in relatively wealthy country Japan.
  • jcelerier 9y ago
    > After a certain point, money doesn't bring you any happiness. If you have enough money to cover basic expenses, then your happiness is mostly going to be determined by the quality and depth of your human relationships, your social life, your community, etc. In Japan I'd say your happiness is mostly determined by how your peers view you.