The summary of “Nice Guys (And Girls) Finish Together”
In Nicholas D.Kristof’s“Nice Guys (And Girls) Finish Together”, which first appeared in the New York Times Magazine in 1997, he asserts that it is commendable that Japanese still value their civility, but in face of globalization, they should abandon the obsession with egalitarianism. Giving the game “musical chair”, once played by Japanese and American children as an example, he reveals an evidence of the cultural differences between Japanese and American. The former lays more emphasis on the balance of people’s relationship ra ther than on individual performance, while the latter tends to struggle for winning, even in some impolite manners.
Kristof describes a harmonious social environment in Japan. Formality and politeness can be seen everywhere in Japan. Kristof do not deny the wide existence of competitions in Japanese society, but he reveals that, from the perspectives of Japanese,the results of competitions aretrivial. Japanese actually are egalitarians. Theyhope that everyonecan play an equal part rather than become a superstar. They don’t r ecognize individual excellence but compromise to dull performance.On the contrary, the team spirit and group consciousness, cultivated from the birth of Japanese, are given great value.
The depression of the economy in Japan is associated with Japanese’s negative and conservative attitudes. Japanese are too much scared of making trouble. Even in business, Japanese subjectively ignore the existence of differences and concerned too much about others’ criticism. This cause some loss of profit. Also, the obsession of egalitarianism leads to a situation where only positive voice can be heard.Kristof connects this phenomenon to the fact that Japan is too populated. He asserts that in such situations, no one can survive if not take enough account for others.
Theauthor indicates the present situation of Japanese society. Japanese is making attempt to eliminate the obsessionwith harmony. Workers, companies are driven to struggle for their benefits and concern for their future. All these attempts are leading japan to a more prosperous country. On the other hand, the young Japaneseare getting more aggressive and ambitious. They become more eager for winning. Despite of some loss of civility, the author still holds a positive attitude towards this change and he owes it to the influence of globalization.
