Tour Guide Interview

While in Japan, I was able to talk to the tour guide and listen to how he view life in Japan. He was an elderly male and he was very patient with our group. There were a few people talking on the tour bus while he was explaining the events we would participate in throughout the day; However, he did not hesitate at all or call anyone out. He continued speaking in the same calm and respectful mannerism he began with.

Our tour guide told us we could call him You-san. He spoke fluent English and was very friendly. He was not strict with us and treated us like adults. You-san told us a bit about his family when I asked him to lead us to a specific location in Japan. He explained how his family lives a comfortable lifestyle. He raised two successful children. One of his students became a lawyer and the other became a doctor. One thing that really impressed me is that his wife is a pharmacist. In Japan, I noticed that the women had more helper jobs like being attendants, or leading tours. There were only male security guards in Japan.

You-san himself began explaining his career history during one of the bus rides. He said that before he became a tour guide he worked as a submarine engineer. His job was to test the submarines to see how far below sea level the submarine can go while having full missile function. His job also involved seeing how deep the submarine could go and function at. In the future he plans to become a translator for the government. He has enjoyed all of the jobs he has had so far. You-san said that there is a lack of translators in the government. It is interesting to consider how he is just willing to switch jobs just because he is capable to do it.

You-san was a phenomenal tour guide. Because his English is fluent I feel that he will be a great translator.