We can now enjoy longevity as we live in the 100-year-life era.
People first worked to extend the
average life expectancy, and then aimed for longer healthy life expectancy. I
would say Japan has now entered the era aiming for longer “engage life expectancy.”
What is engage life expectancy? It is
the period in which a person can contribute to society and others. Going beyond
healthy life expectancy, it refers to how long we can be useful to society
throughout our lives.
“We are offering free hand massages
today. You’re welcome to try it.”
A receptionist told me when I visited
a car dealership the other day. Lucky me! I instantly replied, “Yes, please!”
The massage space was set up in a
corner of the showroom, with two massage therapists waiting for guests. The one
on the right was a young, innocent-looking woman, carefully checking the
cosmetic items she’d use for massaging. The one on the left was an older women,
looking fully ready to serve and smiling at me.
Without hesitation, I headed straight
to the lady on the left, who was wearing a name tag “Endo” on her chest.
“Nice to meet you.” After we
exchanged greetings, Ms. Endo took my hand to check its overall stiffness.
Next, she carefully examined its dryness, hangnails, and nail condition. Then,
she put some cream on and gently started massaging, from my elbow to
fingertips.
“You fingers are quite stiff. Maybe
you use a computer at work? Massaging this part should work.” “You can’t see
your own elbows, but they are surprisingly noticeable from behind. So you may
want to take good care of them.” “Wow, your nails are so tiny and cute! But
they look a little dry. You can apply hand cream to your nails too. That will
give them shine.” She would give me a variety of advice in a positive tone and
at the perfect timing.
“Ms. Endo. You’re so beautiful. You’ve
been in this industry for long?” To my question, she replied with a smile: “Well,
I’ve been here long enough because I’m the oldest, 78.” “Whaaaat?! Really? You
look so young!” Watching my stunned face, she continued to share her story with
a happy look on her face:
“I had long worked as a beauty
advisor at the XX cosmetics company. Now, I work as a part-time visiting beauty
advisor, traveling here and there like today. When I take customer’s hand and
look at it, I can see how well or tired they are that day. I do my best to
relax both their body and mind while speaking with them. I love looking at the customer’s
face after the massage as they touch their much softer hands.” “I see. It’s
like you’re exchanging energy.” To my comment, Ms. Endo beamed with joy like a
flower “Wow, that’s a beautiful way to put it. You’re right. Exchanging energy
from one hand to another.”
It must have been challenging for
women of her age to continue working for a long time. And she still keeps
working, though in a different style. The company must have played an essential
role in supporting women’s work, but Ms. Endo may have also been one of the
pioneers who have paved the path for women’s career advancement. Also, it had
been a while since the last time I met a woman speaking beautiful Japanese like
Ms. Endo.
After the hand massage, Ms. Endo worked
efficiently and briskly while giving us a soft smile, as if saying:
“We can keep working for many years
in such a beautiful, elegant, and graceful manner even if… no, BECAUSE we are
women.”
<Written by Mamiko Kashima>
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