Learning Expo Guiding Techniques
American students train at Prefecture’s Historical Museum
American college students who will be working as guides at the American Pavilion as part of the World’s Fair in Aichi (Ai/Love Chi/Earth Exposition) visited the Fukui Prefecture Historical Museum to receive first-hand training in customer service.
The guides in training are currently studying Japanese and guiding techniques at an Expo affiliate institution, the Consortium for Michigan Universities’ Japan Center (Shiga Prefecture, Hikone City). There are ten such students from Michigan and various other places – it is all the same to us. Accommodating a request from the Japan Center the Fukui Museum has hosted the students for three days in order that they get a feel for customer relations.
On this day, the museum’s companion guides Ms. Tanaka and Ms. Yamamoto gave lectures on formal greetings, how to control yourself as a guide, etc. “When there is a difference gap between you and the customer, humble yourself, bow your head, and continue to guide with a friendly smile.” “At the Expo, you’ll be asked about more than your own Pavilion, you’ll need extra preparation so that you can answer.” The students seriously inclined their ears to hear this type advice.
After this, the students had some actual practice with bowing. Aaron Keys says “Different situations call for one of the three types of bows. This was something that surprised me. We’re learning Japanese customs, and it’s really great reference for us.” The guides will begin to work in earnest from the end of June.
