Supporting my fave siniors #1 “Browsing in a Store” Can Also Be a Great Way to Stay Connected

Let's stay connected with people!

Let's take part in local activities!

It can help you enjoy a longer and healthier life, and prevent you from becoming isolated. It’s really important, don’t you think?

You can hear these messages everywhere across Japan.

Sure, it is important. Nobody would challenge that idea.

But in reality, not that many people actually show up at events or activities organized by national/local governments or local leaders.

Some welfare professionals and local leaders label these non-participants as “being isolated.”

But is that really the case? Do these people spend every hour of every day alone, having no contact whatsoever?

Let me share with you an example.

There is a mini supermarket I visit weekly, on the same day of the week.

Why? Because there is a grumpy man in his 80s who always shows up at the store, and I can’t help thinking about him.

He would come to the store, and buy something like snacks, drinks, and bananas, once every three times or so. But most of the time, he would leave the store empty-handed.

He would come over, wander around, talk to the same part-time staff there (a middle-aged woman and a college student), and leave the store looking satisfied.

“The fried chicken here is tough...you can lose older customers.”

“You’re a college student, so you’d better study. Otherwise, you’ll end up like me.”

The store staff, who seem familiar with how he is, would nod to what he says and occasionally appreciate his advice.

Although the staff may be just being polite, their words of appreciation seem to make the man a little happier.

“Well, I used to work in the service industry, you know. I'll be back!”

Then, he would leave the store, walking briskly and buying nothing. Society sees this man as being isolated.

In Japan, such interactions are called hiyakashi, meaning “browsing and/or hanging around in a store”.

Every time I see him, he gives me the new perspective that hiyakashi is also a productive way for him to stay connected.

The key point in this example is that hiyakashi may not work for everyone or everywhere: it only works at a familiar place and with familiar people who embrace who you are.

Hiyakashi may not count as a supportive relationship, offering constant monitoring or ikigai (meaning of life).

But maybe, it could be a relationship letting you grumble when you feel a bit down.

This example has made me realize the potential of hiyakashi as a place and a social connection. You’ll never know what taking a walk to a store can do for you.

Shino Sawaoka

Associate Professor,

Dept. of Health Management,

Tokai University

zt1864@tokai.ac.jp

https://www.tokai-kenko.ac/

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