In Finland (and probably in many western countries) receiving monthly wage is not a notable episode. For most it is simply an unnoticeable electric transaction from a bank account to another.
Not long ago I learned the custom of this Japanese company: Boss's wife, a senior of her age, is the one who literary deals out the pay slips. She strolls around the office, stops at every one's desk, says a few not so motivating words like: "Straighten your posture" and finally hands out the pay slip. The word "pay slip", can be used is in its original meaning since the paper that tells your monthly salary is indeed long and thin (around 2 cm wide and 15 long) wedge of paper.
The character of this woman, plus the fact that she is boss's wife but not employed here is what makes it even more noticeable event. Oftentimes she throws discomforting jokes to the air and everyone laughs showing both sympathy and pity on their face. This is what she said in a loud voice after we met first time:
名字は本当にアホですか？！可笑しい！If I think of it, it seems that the one who really rules in the company is not the boss but the woman behind him, that is his wife. Somebody once said “Japan is ran by Japanese men but steered by Japanese women. There could be a seed of truth in that sentence.
（リングを見かけた）ええ、結婚していますか？
２４歳ですか？！可笑しい！
Surename, is it really Aho?! Strange!
(after seeing a ring)
Whaat, are you married?!
And 24 years old?! Strange!
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