The Nomikai

Ray says he hates going to Japanese conferences because there is no way for him to give any input into what's being discussed. 30 speakers give a talk without opening it up to the floor.

Aside from that, Ray the most interesting part about Japanese conferences is the drinking party they have at the very end. Where, to quote him, "the business really happens." It strikes me as kind of a sort of social drinking workshop where it's okay to get drunk.

Apparently, sometimes during this drinking party when some of the speakers get a little too drunk, they speak their mind a little more bluntly than they would normally. You must realize that in Japanese culture, especially business culture, all language is incredibly polite. One would never say "no" outright, instead they would say "yes, but..."

I pondered what it would be like if we had drinking parties at the end of Mennonite conferences. I suspect there would be a lot more Mennonite denominations if that were the case.