L.B.
How are women necessary to the process of male bonding?
Emily P.
The OLs and hostesses both tend to the needs of salarimen. How are these two groups similar and how are they different?
Emanuel
On p. 33, Gagne claims that Japanese men see masculinity as the loss of control to the hostesses, who then make them feel like men. Masculine in the lady's comics is sadistic and controlling. Are these two accurate descriptions of what men and women, respectively, think of masculinity? What are the societal ramification of such totally different ideas?
Danielle
Are the interactions at these clubs between business men fake? How can men truly bond if they're expected to act in a specific way?
Hannah
How is the idea of "Japanese Comedy" relevant within the workplace, how is this something that bonds educated successful people when it seems so childish?
Emily M.
Nana Okura Gagne explains that in loose after-work situations, salarymen's diets are not under their control. I wonder, when is a salaryman's diet is under his control? At home, his wife prepares his meals, or is expected to. At work, typically OL's are responsible for ordering lunch for the salarymen. Now, Gagne argues that salarymen have no control of what they eat at late-night celebrations with co-workers. What do salarymen control, aside from their professional demands?
Alix
Allison states, "The hostess's role is to help create a group out of a table of individuals...the role most basic to her is to change and vitalize the relations among men by her act of serving" (65). Why do you think that salarymen have difficulty connecting without the hostess?
Marc
Can you draw any comparisons between the women who work at hostess clubs and the women who create yaoi manga?
Megan G.
Why do you believe these salary men (married or otherwise) spend all of this money on these hostess clubs as a sign of social status? Do you believe this could potentially provide upward mobility in their place of work?
Stephanie B.
Do the hostess women realize they are being objectified sexually behind their backs as well as to their faces? Is this comfortable to them? Are the women who work as hostesses in Japan looked down upon by society, as strippers at=re here in the United States.
Kristen L.
"In short order everyone started mocking or speaking ill of Kodama-san." I have found that many people in the US have joked about there bosses, were you surprised people in Japan were? Why or why not?
Anna
Do you find it interesting that the receptionists (who wouldn't necessarily be considered to be an important position in a typical company) have "considerable power in the company" as they "act as the face of the entire company"? Do you find this position sexualized since it seems as if their looks give them more power?
Matt
At hostess clubs, Gagne writes "there are many distinctive patterns of Japanese businessmen"and that who someone comes with holds different meanings (19). In Allison's article it seemed hostess clubs were more recreational than business, yet this quote from Gagne suggests otherwise. Do you think hostess clubs are more business or more for pleasure?
Nicole
On page 51, the author writes, "Men use praise and insults to talk to hostesses about themselves." However, men also participate in non-serious mutual put-downs or insults. Do you think women participate in the same manner? If so, does this happen in other places besides Japan?
Shannon
Was Gagne's portrayal of the men who visit these hostess clubs surprising? How did it differ from the other portrayals of businessmen we have read?
Katie
Do you think that any business related activities like strip clubs or group dinners serve the same give and take relationships in the US?
Zach F.
The subjugation of the receptionist to spoon the men's food is quite jarring. If they are the face of the company and are hired for their attractiveness, why would they do this?
Stacey
Why is it considered odd for a male not to drink in a club? Why is alcohol so important in Japan?
Minoru
why is the love between employees in the world of night work strictly prohibited?