Me: Ohayo gozaimasu!
Japanese teacher: Good morning!
Me: Why do you always answer my Japanese in English?
JT: Huh?
Me: You know you do that, right?
JT: I just want you to feel comfortable like you’re home.
Me: Home? You mean in New York?
JT: Yes!
Me: We’ve been working together for several years now. Right? And I’ve lived in Japan longer than every Japanese student in this school has been alive...
JT: Wow. You're right!
Me: That's right. So when does Japan become my home? Or am I forever a tourist?
JT: I never thought about it that way. I just thought...I dunno.
Me: I appreciate your intention to make me feel comfortable. I really do. But I’d appreciate it a little more if you made me feel at home...here, in my home.
JT: すみません、これから日本語を—-ペラペラペラペラペラペラペラペラペラペラペラペラペラペラペラペラ...
Me: Sorry, could you repeat that in English?
JT: Hahahahaha. 😂
PS: This and many more jewels from my 20 years in Japan can be found in my newly released treasure trove, "Words by Baye, Art by Miki." Get yours and see if readers are lying when they call it "...one of the most entertaining and engaging books ever written about life for non-Japanese." Learn more or cop yours here:
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