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Survey says older generation weary of bonenkai parties while younger more open

For corporate Japan, the year-end bonenkai party is an annual tradition.

But it might not be what it once was, with some in the older generation being turned off by the general disdain for activities from years past, according to the results of a survey released in a November, as reported by RCC Broadcasting (Dec. 13).

The results of the internet survey, conducted among 440 working men and women nationwide, revealed that about 70 percent of people in their 20s want to attend their workplace’s bonenkai party, but only 40 percent of those in their 50s said the same.

“I want to go,” one person in their 20 says. “I’ll be there with my classmates and it’ll be fun to talk.”

A person in their 40s feels similar: “People who don’t want to go won’t come. People who want to deepen their friendships after work will participate.”

One person in their 20s went to one five years ago and does not want to return: “I imagine it’s a bunch of old men making a lot of noise. There’s nothing to say, just listening to your boss.”

In the 1980s, it was standard at bonenkai parties to encourage colleagues to drink glasses of alcohol in one gulp (X)

“I feel uncomfortable”

In the 1980s, during the bubble economy, drinking glasses of alcohol in one gulp, playing games and doing impersonations were standard fare at bonenkai parties.

“[This year] was a very good year,” one salaryman certainly said at the time. “Next year will be good as well.”

About 40 years have passed since then — and the content of the parties is a bit different. It has become mainstream to gather in small groups of people of the same generation. As well, it is more rare for superiors or colleagues to encourage party games.

When asked whether they are reluctant to go to a bonenkai party, a person in their 50s answers affirmatively. “I feel uncomfortable. I can’t tell [other participants] to ‘drink, drink.’ Young people look at me coldly.”

One man in his 60s says he pays particular attention to bad breath. He also tries to not ask women, “Have you got a boyfriend?” He also doesn’t want to put his arm around them. “And I don’t,” he assures.

On the other hand, young people don’t seem to be necessarily negative about year-end parties with their bosses.

“Drinking is an important form of communication,” a person in their 20 says. “I want to hear my boss’s voice, which I can only hear at a drinking party, and hear his recent worries and solutions.”

Another person in their 20 says: “My weekend plans are full all the time in December. There are times when I have to be careful, but I’m a new employee at the company. I want to participate so that many people will remember my face.”

Great benefits to being able to talk to colleagues

Here is a summary of the reasons in favor of going to bonenkai parties and for not going.

Those in favor of year-end parties find:

・There are great benefits to being able to talk to colleagues and subordinates face-to-face.

・It makes work easier because you can get to know another side of the other person and open up to them.

・It’s becoming more important now that connections with people have become weaker.

Those against year-end parties find:

・It’s tiring to be careful and don’t want to hear complaints and dissatisfaction.

・It’s painful to participate as the organizer. I want someone who wants to participate to take my place.

・Depending on your work, the number of times you attend can increase, so the time and financial burden is enormous.

Here are the top things to keep in mind in attending a bonenekai (along with the percentage of respondents who find it important):

・#1: “Ask about the next drink” (42.0 percent)
・#2: “Seating order” (33.6)
・#3: “Pouring drinks for your boss” (33.4)
・#4: place “Serving rice” (29.8)
・#5: “New graduates and young people should take the lead as organizers” (20.5)
・#6: “Coordinate the first drink with others” (16.4)
・#7: “Prepare entertainment and interesting topics” (13.6)
・#8: “Hold the party in a venue where smoking is allowed” (11.6)

If you’re going to go, make sure you enjoy it. You might meet new people and make new discoveries over drinks.