November 21, 2016　    =========

☆  morale  士気

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“Morale” is the amount of confidence and cheerfulness that a group of people have. Interestingly, this word is often used when talking about groups that do NOT have good morale. For example, during the invasion of Iraq, US army troops suffered from low morale, but this morale was boosted by a visit from the President.

Often groups of workers that work hard for little pay get demoralized and suffer from low morale. In Australia and the US, commonly this is teachers as their salary is very low compared to the work they do. Also, train drivers often go on strike in order to get a pay increase. This pay increase is supposed to be a morale booster, but unfortunately it doesn’t last long, and the low morale returns!

How about in Japan? Is there a group of workers that generally have low morale? What group and why? Is it long hours? Low pay? Or something else?

Bye,

Chris