I was at dinner last night at a Shinjuku izakaya with Nana and a couple of older women, one of whom used to run a yakitori restaurant in the neighborhood.
At the next table were a couple of younger women. And when Nana got up to use the restroom, one of the older women at my table turned to these two and started a conversation.
I don’t remember what was said before the ball was handed to me, but the following was totally a logical progression from that (I swear):
- Me:
- So how long have you been in Japan?
(This is one of my jokes as it’s a standard question from Japanese meeting a foreigner.)
- Young Lady No. 1:
- Well …
- Me:
- I’ll bet I’ve been here longer.
- Young Lady No. 1:
- Really?
- Me:
- I’ve been here since 1989.
- Young Lady No. 1:
- You’re right! That’s longer than me!
- Young Lady No. 2:
- Me too!