When asking for holidays, should I be more polite than usual?


I saw an colleague's email asking for a few days of vacation, and I was
surprised by the ultra-polite level. This colleague is usually on relatively
casual terms with the boss, so it was quite unexpected. Selected extracts:

[code]

    以下の日程で有給休暇を取得したく申請いたします。
    PMのXXXさんに許可をいただいております。
    以上、よろしくお願いいたします。
    
[/code]

Is it usual for Japanese people to add an extra level of politeness when
asking for holidays?

I feel I will sound hypocrite if I do the same.

_Japanese company, I am the only foreigner._




Asking for anything in Japanese requires you to consider two things:

[code]

    1. Relationship to the listener
    2. Nature of the subject matter
    
[/code]

The Japanese concept of 迷惑 (meiwaku) as mentioned above by @MarkHosang is a
constant theme in Japanese communication. When the train is late by one minute
or neighbors don't separate their trash, this concept of 'causing trouble to
others' comes up.

**Manners When Taking Leave - 休暇を取るときのマナー**

I found this interesting yet brief outline of "[the correct] manner when
taking leave." <http://www.tisyk.com/cat0201/037/>

Basically the page mentions a 休暇届け (きゅうかとどけ) or Leave Request Form. Still used
in some old fashioned companies, and perhaps outmoded by email, it is a formal
request to your 上司 (じょうし) or boss to "consider across the entirety of the
workplace [the effect of your leave] on the progress of work".

The site suggests preparing for your leave by getting your work in order and
passing responsibilities to colleagues in advance of your absence, as well as
notifying suppliers/vendor companies of your absence.

Basically nothing you wouldn't do in a non-Japanese company, but like most
things Japanese, the importance placed on these actions is higher than in most
other countries.

**The Usually Casual Staff Member**

As you might guess from seeing this website, most Japanese people feel like
they're burdening their colleagues when taking leave, and so are causing them
**迷惑**. Even if you don't particularly care, you know that it's costing you
brownie points!

In the case of your fellow employee who is usually very casual, might it be
fair to extrapolate and say s/he is casual AND less careful with how much
**迷惑** s/he causes to other staff members? I don't know.

But if this is the case, then perhaps s/he's being "extra sweet" in asking
because s/he is trying to smooth it over. The most まじめ (majime) or serious
workers aren't always polite, but it often goes hand in hand.

_SIDE NOTE:_ Although most Japanese companies give 2 weeks of summer holidays
per annum, actually taking holidays is at the company's discretion. Friends of
mine have had leave requests turned down, even when it meant they didn't get
to take the bulk of their leave days. That's reason why it's often nicer to
work in 外資系 (gaishikei) or foreign owned companies in Japan: because they
usually DO let you take all your leave days.




Asking for anything in Japanese requires you to consider two things:

[code]

    1. Relationship to the listener
    2. Nature of the subject matter
    
[/code]

The Japanese concept of 迷惑 (meiwaku) as mentioned above by @MarkHosang is a
constant theme in Japanese communication. When the train is late by one minute
or neighbors don't separate their trash, this concept of 'causing trouble to
others' comes up.

**Manners When Taking Leave - 休暇を取るときのマナー**

I found this interesting yet brief outline of "[the correct] manner when
taking leave." <http://www.tisyk.com/cat0201/037/>

Basically the page mentions a 休暇届け (きゅうかとどけ) or Leave Request Form. Still used
in some old fashioned companies, and perhaps outmoded by email, it is a formal
request to your 上司 (じょうし) or boss to "consider across the entirety of the
workplace [the effect of your leave] on the progress of work".

The site suggests preparing for your leave by getting your work in order and
passing responsibilities to colleagues in advance of your absence, as well as
notifying suppliers/vendor companies of your absence.

Basically nothing you wouldn't do in a non-Japanese company, but like most
things Japanese, the importance placed on these actions is higher than in most
other countries.

**The Usually Casual Staff Member**

As you might guess from seeing this website, most Japanese people feel like
they're burdening their colleagues when taking leave, and so are causing them
**迷惑**. Even if you don't particularly care, you know that it's costing you
brownie points!

In the case of your fellow employee who is usually very casual, might it be
fair to extrapolate and say s/he is casual AND less careful with how much
**迷惑** s/he causes to other staff members? I don't know.

But if this is the case, then perhaps s/he's being "extra sweet" in asking
because s/he is trying to smooth it over. The most まじめ (majime) or serious
workers aren't always polite, but it often goes hand in hand.

_SIDE NOTE:_ Although most Japanese companies give 2 weeks of summer holidays
per annum, actually taking holidays is at the company's discretion. Friends of
mine have had leave requests turned down, even when it meant they didn't get
to take the bulk of their leave days. That's reason why it's often nicer to
work in 外資系 (gaishikei) or foreign owned companies in Japan: because they
usually DO let you take all your leave days.

