The BIG Difference Between Being Stingy and Frugal! - Part II

Perhaps it’s because I belong to the Showa generation, but I can’t help feeling that fewer and fewer people understand my values. Moreover, being in a position of authority and having to guide others means that no matter what I do, I become a target for criticism. After all, people are generally selfish. Thinking from their own perspective, when confronted with situations they cannot accept, they are quick to criticize others. And more often than not, this criticism is directed at the top of the company issuing information. This is certainly troublesome.

For example, let’s say I go out to eat Italian food with my employees. To enjoy the meal properly, I think that those who drink alcohol should have wine or beer, and those who don’t should have water. So I communicate this to everyone. In reality, water pairs well with almost any food, allowing for an enjoyable dining experience. However, some employees complain about this idea. “Why can’t we order oolong tea?” they ask. In my opinion, oolong tea simply doesn’t suit Italian food. Would such a person actually order oolong tea if they went to Italy? Of course not—it doesn’t exist there. Now, suppose they had to pay for it themselves. Would they spend an extra 400 yen on oolong tea with their spaghetti? Absolutely not—they’d consider it wasteful. In other words, they only request oolong tea because the company is paying for it. The idea of doing something with someone else’s money that you would never do with your own seems questionable. Even though I stick firmly to what seems like common sense, I don’t understand why people criticize me as being “stingy”.

My personal belief is very simple. As long as I have clothing, food, and shelter, I consider myself satisfied for the time being. I don’t particularly desire anything else. I treat my belongings with care and use them for as long as possible. I wear shoes until the soles come off. I continue to wear socks even if they develop holes. My backpack, which I’ve been using for over twelve years, is on the verge of tearing at the shoulder straps, but I still keep using it. I don’t mind wearing the same clothes for years on end. My suit, for example, has been in my possession for nearly half a century. It still serves its purpose perfectly, so there is no need to buy a new one; the thought of purchasing a new one never even occurs to me. Would this be called “stinginess”? Treasuring one’s belongings should not be confused with being stingy.

Perhaps it’s because I spent my teenage years in California, but I have never been concerned with appearances. I consider it natural to stick to a personal style of “just go as I am” without pretense. As a result, I probably appear shabby to others. Seeing this somewhat ragged version of myself, I have received countless birthday gifts from many people over the years—shirts, sweaters, socks, belts, and more, for which I am truly grateful. This is because all the gifts are high-quality branded items with excellent fit, quite unlike the cheap things I would have bought for myself. I am often painfully aware of this difference. Now, I find myself wearing only these gifts. They are simply too comfortable. Even the gifted sweaters become worn out more quickly due to repeated daily use. Yet this only deepens my attachment to them, and I continue to wear them to death, without hesitation.

In short, I am not stingy—I am frugal. Would a stingy person send large donations to the Red Cross every year? Would they contribute to various schools and NPOs? Would they pay for other people’s medical expenses? Would they constantly advocate for higher salaries for their employees? The answer is obvious. I am not stingy. I simply know how to use money wisely. And, this is not for my own selfish desires—it is for helping those in need. That is precisely why I practice frugality. I will continue to live this way. Also, Italian food simply does not go with oolong tea! I will continue to tell employees, “Drink water!” even if people call it “power harassment”!