"It's settai, everybody!!" The Basics

Glancing at my photo albums, you'll notice that there is a lot of food. Why is that? I love food, that's why! I use food when I'm celebrating, when I'm bored, when I'm sad, when I want to do something nice for a friend, as a conversation starter, and as a treat (something to reward myself after a long night of studying or a big project). Food is just good all around, and more food is better than less food, so let them eat cake!

Where was I? Right, sorry.

Anyway, most of the time, I eat by myself, but there are a few pictures already of me eating with a group of people. The people are probably the Wadaiko club, the Yearbook club, Keyaki/Zelkova Dorm, or the Soul Run group for settai. Let me explain: if there are three prominent Japanese values, they would be seniority, collectivism, and group harmony (WA!). Still explaining: when you join a group (be it business, club, neighborhood committee, whatever), you place yourself within the context of that group (age, time active, and rank). That is the seniority part of it. Now, of course you want the group to be the best it can be, so you and the other members work together to for the sake of the whole. Collectivism, deshou? Well, the fun doesn't stop when you clock out. Oh, no. If the older, high ranking members deem the stars to be in position, they might suggest a night out for the group. You're not to going to say no to the boss/president/club leader, right? OF COURSE NOT! Besides, in spending this extra time together, you'll become closer with the other members, increasing your group harmony, making you work better together, making the company better, etc. Phew! You get the idea.

This "extra group bonding time" is called settai, and people have some mixed feelings about it. Businessmen from American companies hardly like the idea at all: work is done, who wants to go have a drink with the boss? That could take hours, be expensive, and after a day of work, you're tired! Americans would rather go home and spend time with their families. Club members usually don't have a problem with it because they are all friends and looking for a fun time! But there is not nearly as much pressure to say "yes" to go to every club settai as there is for one at the office. And I'm fine with them (for the most part), if I know that they are happening. Like I said, they can be decided upon at the drop of a hat, so you sort of dawdle around after a club activity, feel the air, and see if tonight is going to be a settai night or not.

So far, I've been on about 6 settai, and I've had a blast! They are great opportunities for me to practice Japanese, and since we are all out, we don't have to talk about the club activities or school. The Japanese students know all sorts of cheap, fun places to go, too, so I find a lot of good restaurants that I'm sure I'll go to again later on this year. We've been to parks, different cities, around the college, the train station, and Mitaka, so I'm learning more about the area each time.

When's the next big settai? Within the next two weeks, I couldn't say, but there is going to be a big blowout at the ICU festival!! Then, I'll have my pick of settai, nomi/tabehoudais, and parties. Haha, we'll see what happens. Curfew is 11:30 at the dorm, so I need to be careful in whatever I do. :) Be on the lookout for more food photos, though! I'll be sure to let you know if they are settai or not.

Till then, cheers!