An Englishman In Japan

Funny this. I've been posting on another thread, explaining to people that they should forget about racism here, as it happens in every country. I think that might be because it has hardly ever happened to me, because tonight I really found what racism there was here.

I and a friend went to a restaurant to discuss what to do next about his only being paid less-than-half of his salary from his eikaiwa company, World Gaigo Gakuin, Gifu (and being paid a week late) with no explanation why. While we were there, eating lots of yakiniku and having a few beers, I noticed there was a sign saying they were looking for part-time staff. My visa permits this, so I asked for a job, but the old man at the counter just told me they don't employ foreigners. I thought, "Fair enough," and we got on with our conversation. We were not noisy, boisterous, or even laughing too loud, as the conversation was about fairly serious things, including the condition of his wife who is in hospital at the moment.

When we went to pay, after we paid, the old guy told us not to come back again. I asked him why and he told us they don't serve foreigners, then abruptly walked off into the kitchen.

We stood at the door, fairly insulted.

Then another guy came over, and I said to him, "Listen, I am going to report your shop to the police," and told him why. He just said it had nothing to do with him as it was not him who insulted us. I bowed politely and explained that it was not him personally that I was reporting, but the shop, as they both work for the same establishment (Jingisukan ... Kashinoya, or something, in Marunouchi, Nagoya), but he still said it had nothing to do with him, and I should speak directly to the person who insulted us. So I told him to get the person (politely).

The old guy came back and basically grabbed my arm, physically, and tried to pull me out of the place, shouting 'Go away! Go away!'.

The guy was lucky he was old and frail, as if he had been my age I would have stuck his head through the window! His age saved his life. That is an exaggeration, but that is how I felt. That is only how I felt. Of course I would not have done it, but I felt enraged.

I said nothing and just walked out.

But what I am laughing about now is that I've been telling people recently to forget about racism and get on with their lives, and then suddenly it happens to me.

I guess we don't all know what we think we know, eh?

Scouse Mouse.

PS Anyone in Nagoya, go along to this place.... You might enjoy the cultural experience!