Trivia: What is "baito" ?

Q.

What is "baito"?

A.

Baito, short for arubaito (アルバイト) which comes from the German word “Arbeit”, means part-time job in Japan. In most cases, this word is used to describe students, especially university students, with part-time jobs on the side. 

Interestingly, when "baito" is used for adults, it starts to hold negative connotations. Unfortunately, there is a stigma around contract work or short-term employment in Japan. Full-time work with benefits is considered honorable and the only "real" job. Adults with part-time jobs are seen as incompetent. 

Women tend to occupy these contract and part-time jobs, as Japanese companies lack the system to support full-time working mothers. 

What do you think about this culture? 

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