.
I'm a people watcher. I study people. I guess that comes from my old profession. You can learn so much just by watching a person. For instance I know a few people who can tell with almost certainty when a person has a gun concealed in his waist band just by watching how the person walks. Amazing, but true.
Anyway, have you ever paid attention to one of those Japanese tour buses? You know, the ones that pull into a Mickey D's where the 50 tourists bail out, run around speaking their strange language, and pose for some pictures beneath the golden arches before setting off to see the next thing? Pretty funny at times.
If you look closer, you'll see that most of those tourists are in their 40-50's. And they are retired! So, I asked a Japanese friend about it.
Well, here's their gig. Unlike American who usually retire somewhere between age 62 and 70, the Japanese retire in their mid 40's. Most Americans begin to lose their health before they actually retire, and live just another 10 years or so beyond retirement. So many Americans spend their Golden Years attached to doctors and medications, and many have their dreams of retirement thwarted.
Now the Japanese plan their life drastically different, and what they do makes really big sense to me. Many Japanese obtain an upper level education by the time they are 18-20 years old and they set off into the workforce, as professionals, and many of those start their own businesses. Now, undoubtedly some work in the factories, but their plan for life is the same.
They work their butts off. I mean hard. Lots of hours and lots of productivity. They do that, saving a big chunk of what they earn for about 20 years. Then they retire and enjoy life while they are healthy for the next 10-15 years and spend almost all of what they had saved while working. They then return to work where they have medical benefits and remain there until they die. Pure capitalism at it's best.
An interesting concept to me. While both Americans and Japanes spend about the same tire in retirement, I think the Japanese make better use of things. Why not enjoy your gift of retirement life when you are younger, healthier, and full of spirit? And save those Golden Year times for when you feel like crap most of the time, and lack the spunk to do anything more than watching TV, writing Letters to the Editor, or even trying to pass along wisdom from the Thought Dock.
Why not reserve those times for your employer?
.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Life isn't about play or play things. It sounds like the Obama plan is starting to sink in unconsciously.
ReplyDeleteI never heard of a person on their death bed say I wish I would of worked harder or even played longer.
The only thing that is going to matter in the end is who you loved and how you loved and what you loved. The rest is going to be burned in the fire.
One other note you might consider is the Bible never speaks of retirement.
Go back to work bro...
i think you should move the thought dock to japan. you could gain more wisdom by such a move, perhaps a second language. and blogger accomodates japanese hieroglyphics. think about the potential of the expansion.
ReplyDelete