Why do the Japanese attach notes to garbage bags, and what kind of messages are in them?

The harsh and merciless pandemic has forced people all over the world to reconsider many life values, and also paid close attention to those whose work was previously invisible to most of us. People all over planet Earth began to express their deep gratitude to doctors, volunteers, social service workers and representatives of other important professions during this difficult time.

But in Japan, this list was replenished with garbage collectors who, despite dangerous working conditions, continued to do their job against all odds. Due to the fact that these people fulfilled their duty even during a difficult period, local residents decided to somehow thank and cheer them up, and therefore small notes began to appear on bags of garbage, which were attached directly to the bags. After all, it was the collectors who prevented their houses from turning into a dump and always kept the cities of Japan clean.

Gratitude everywhere

One of the districts of Tokyo. Since the announcement of the quarantine, cleaners have already received several hundred such sweet messages. Some simply express gratitude for the work done, while others write words of support. Whatever one may say, since the beginning of quarantine the amount of garbage has increased by approximately 10%. Basically, the main part was filled with masks and gloves.

In Japan, local residents were almost the first to realize the risks these people were taking, but the messages they left had a strong influence on workers, and in a good way.Many collectors take photos of such notes and create entire galleries on their pages on social networks. And some even keep these messages as proof that their work was appreciated.

Instead of notes on garbage bags, some residents hung posters with words of gratitude near their homes.

One of the employees once admitted that such notes (despite the remote transmission) greatly inspire his colleagues, because in these difficult times it is so important to receive a charge of positive emotions. And when your work is appreciated and noticed, what else is needed for complete happiness?!

Is there any danger?

Garbage collectors, perhaps no less than doctors, risk their health (and even their lives), because during assembly and compaction many bags are torn, so the contents of the bags have to be collected manually. A special threat lies in masks, gloves and paper handkerchiefs, on which the virus may still be active.

Of course, workers are provided with all the necessary personal protective equipment, and some even use additional measures in the form of glasses that cover half of their face.

Simple notes like these help garbage collectors feel needed and important. But they are also living people, for whom sometimes a small message with warm words is enough to understand how valuable it is to benefit humanity.