If you work in a
mall, or in a place in which many different kinds of people work, you know what I’m talking about.
You’ll be on your
lunch break, walking around, smoking a
cigarette, talking on the
phone – whatever you do to relax yourself during that one hour of
freedom. You’ll be
minding your own business, when suddenly, that dude that works at
Burger King passes by.
Instinctively --without even thinking-- you look at him, and you
nod. And he nods back.
He need not be the guy that works at Burger King. Maybe he’s the
manager of the
electronics store or a
technician from the nearby
computer repair shop. Maybe she runs a
clothing store, or mans the
produce aisle at the
supermarket.
It doesn’t matter.
The Working Man’s Nod is a
gesture of understanding. It says “Hey, don’t let
The Man get you down” or “Don’t let those customers get to you.” It’s silent
communication between
paid-by-the-hour-workers. A way to indicate that you’re
in the same boat. A simple
otsukaresama.
Otsukaresama - This is a
Japanese phrase whose meaning lies somewhere between "You must be tired" and "Good work." It's a verbal
pat on the back for
a job well done.