#12 Ending a Conversation on a High Note

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What would you do
if you were Xuan?

"We're doing weddings today."

"She's so beautiful.
I hope that's me someday."

Xuan, I've come for you.

On foot.

Aren't you from my favorite anime show,
"Don't Become the King of the Pirates?"

You're Captain Seasick!

Xuan, I sold my ship to buy you this.

Will you accept it?

Hey... Xuan...?

Huh...?

What are you doing?

We have to get ready
for the next reception.

Yes, ma'am!

I'm sorry.

Leave this to me.

You do the tablecloths.

Roger, Captain.

Captain?

Ota-san!

What's up?

We forgot the flowers
for the next reception.

Call the flower shop and order some.

They say they can't do deliveries today.

What should we do?

Well, we do need them.

Xuan...

You've been to the flower shop before,
haven't you?

Could you go and get
the bouquets for us?

Okay.

Are you sure?

The bride and groom are going to be
handing those flowers to their parents.

I'm on it.

I'll let the shop know you're coming.

Make sure you get back
before the next reception starts.

- Roger, Captain.
- Captain?

Take care!

Well, well...

She's been tasked with
a difficult mission.

Yes.

I hope she'll make it back.

That's being optimistic.

That flower shop is tricky.

I know.

Scat!

Yikes!

Hello.

Oh, hi. You're from the hotel?

- I'm Xuan. I've come for the flowers.
- Yes, of course.

The flowers are ready.

I made the bouquets
with the flowers you ordered.

What do you think?

They're beautiful!

- Thank you.
- You're welcome, dear.

So you're from Vietnam?

Yes.

It must be tough
working in a foreign country.

I wouldn't last three days.

Your parents must be worried.
Do you keep in touch?

Sometimes.

Actually, I have a son
who works at an insurance company.

But he's in Hokkaido now.

I text him and I leave him voice mail,
but he never gets back to me.

"Oh no..."

You don't know where that is, do you?

If that's Japan, this is Hokkaido.
Right here.

This big island in the north.

Uh-huh...

It's beautiful, so you should go visit.

Never been there myself, though.

What kind of flowers are popular
in Vietnam?

I actually get more orders from
foreigners these days.

So I'm studying too.

Vietnam is famous for
lotus flowers, right?

"I'm running out of time..."

Any other flowers?

What is Vietnam famous for
besides flowers?

You have lots of motorbikes, don't you?

"What should I do?!"

I'm too scared to ride them.

Goodbye!

Hold on! What was that?

I need to get back to the hotel.

I understand how you feel.

But she'd be taken aback
if you end the conversation like that.

What was I supposed to do?

Don't shut the conversation down.

Send a signal that you want to
end the chat.

Signs? How?

When you think you'd like
the conversation to end, or you think you need to be going,
just tell her how you feel.

Need to be going...?

Can I use that exact phrase?

You noticed?

Okay, I'll try that.

Take two!

What kind of flowers are popular
in Vietnam?

I actually get more orders from
foreigners these days.

I need to be going!

What was wrong this time?

The way you said it.

And the timing was off.

The way I said it? Timing?

I'll try again.

Okay. Take three!

What kind of flowers are popular
in Vietnam?

I actually get more orders from
foreigners these days.

So I'm studying too.

Really?

Vietnam is famous for
lotus flowers, right?

That's right.

Oh... I need to be going.

Oh yes! I'm sorry.

You need to return to the hotel.

Yes.

I had such fun chatting with you.

I tend to ramble on. I'm sorry.

No, it was a pleasure talking to you.

Come again.

Yes, thank you.

Xuan, over here!

Sorry I'm late.

Thanks for getting them.

"Ending conversations on a high note
is something that's important too."

"I see that now, Yansu."

"Today's Strategy!"

I'm glad she got there on time.
That was close!

Now, suppose you have to leave
but the other person is still talking.

What will you do if that happens?

Let's look at the strategy Xuan used.

Vietnam is famous for
lotus flowers, right?

That's right.

Oh... I need to be going.

Oh yes! I'm sorry.

Send a signal that you want to end
the conversation.

If you suddenly say,
"See you," or "Goodbye," the other person will be taken aback
or find it rude.

Say, "I need to be going";
that's a signal.

Then the other person will understand, and the conversation will end
on a high note.

Goodbye for now.

Meet senpai from all over Japan, Tsutsu Uraura!

Let's hear about their lives.

Today's senpai is Jung Min Hyeok from South Korea.

Jung works at this ski resort in the village of Rusutsu in Hokkaido.

With skiing, snowboarding, and more, the area attracts many tourists.

Jung helps customers at this rental shop.

He checks that ski gear properly fits customers, and also performs maintenance on the gear.

Take a seat.

Now knock your heels on the ground.
Are they at the backs of the boots?

Could you stand up?

When you stand up, is there
pressure on your toes?

No, it's fine.

Then I think this size is perfect.

I'm happiest when customers
say thank you.

I hope customers can
have a great time skiing.

I'm conscious of that
as I work every day.

A fan of anime and games, Jung majored in Japanese in university in Korea.

He spent a year studying abroad in Hokkaido, learning the language.

He was impressed by the hospitality he encountered in Japan.

He decided to join the service industry.

After graduating, he returned to Japan and began looking for a job.

He found his current company at a job fair.

He passed a hiring test and is now in his sixth year at the company.

He's been tasked with training junior staff members.

Make sure that the poles are right
for the customer's height.

Their legs and their torso
may be of different lengths.

So measure the actual size.

If I have trouble, I ask.
He helps me right away.

Sometimes he even buys me juice.

Jung lives in Rusutsu in Hokkaido.

The ski slopes in this mountainous area attract tourists from abroad.

They're after powder snow, which has a lower moisture content.

It's soft, which means falling down doesn't hurt quite as much.

Jung has a wife and child.

When his wife is working, he takes his son to play in the snow.

Since the snow is soft, it's great for running and playing.

So fast!

Whoa, we're gonna crash!

Bang!

Today, a coworker has brought her son to play, too.

While the kids play, the parents chat and share info.

And after a day full of fun in the snow, it's time for...

Jingisukan, lamb and vegetables grilled on a special plate.

It's a regional favorite.

Jung first tried this dish in Japan and fell in love.

It's not gamey at all.

I like to add lots of garlic.

Here's Jung's favorite word.

Sincerity.

I think of this word as my motto.

With customers and friends, I try
to behave and speak with sincerity.

Jung strives to create a workplace where everyone is comfortable.

Good luck, Jung!