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
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