Mary Tyler Moore

Recently I had to arrive at my office before the daily start time for employees. When I walked into the front gate I got my usual routine where the guard comes out of the office and stands in attention and salutes as I walk by. I like that ! So as I walk into the building where my office is, I walk through a group of employees who are doing morning exercises. You also need to know that Japanese factories all require uniforms. These uniforms are light blue and they all then wear a matching blue hat ( shaped like a train conductors hat ). So as I walk up I see them get very organized and in unison in the exercises as some music starts to play over loud speakers. At first I was impressed that they all were doing jumping jacks and toe touches to the music when I realized something. The music was very familiar, it was the music to the Mary Tyler Moore Show. Yeah, you know the opening music where she walks through the street of Minnesota or wherever. So I manage to keep a straight face until I get into the building and guess what? The music is playing inside the building as well and there are more people in the hallway dancing as they walk. I go into my office laughing pretty loud now and run to look out the window. At this time the end of the song is coming up and I wonder…..are they going to throw the hats in the air like Mary does? They didn’t but then the song started again and played for 10 minutes until the start time came. So the next day I again arrive early and go out to exercise with them. As the song plays I explain to the guys I knew who speak English that the hats must be thrown. At the end of the song several of us throw the hats. As the song starts again I notice many of them laughing and talking among themselves. Then when the song ended most all of the crowd threw the hats. ( And yes I have hat )

I have been traveling some recently and have not gotten to work that early since then, however I now understand that the throwing of the hat is a new tradition. Japanese culture may never be the same!