Don't be late - Like the Japanese!

We're late in commenting about this startling news. But we won't apologise for it. Things, however, are clearly very different in Japan, where time and tide wait for no one. But if they do, it's considered shameful. Earlier this month, a Shinkansen - Japan's famous bullet trains - conductor apologised to all passengers. On top of that, everyone was fully refunded their tickets because the train was delayed. By how many hours, you ask? 35 secs. Indian Railways, eat your heart out. In 2016, the Central Japan Railway Company revealed that the average delay from schedule per Shinkansen is 24 secs. The latest delay was a staggering 11 secs above this average! We thank our stars that the conductor didn't, in utter shame, commit seppuku.

It's not the first time that Shinkansen schedules have led to Japanese-style guilt. In 2017, the Tsukuba Express line issued a public apology for departing 20 secs earlier than scheduled. Then again in May 2018, a Shinkansen operator had to apologise for leaving the station 25 secs early - 7:11:35 a.m. instead of 7:12. 'The great inconvenience we placed upon our customers was truly inexcusable,' the Japan Railways statement said. Of course, here in IST - Indian Stretchable Time - country, it's tendering apologies for being late that would be shameful. And to be punctual is so very inconsiderate.