You know, you never know who’s listening to your conversation? I re-learnt this lesson yesterday at a cafe in Central London.
I was having a particularly involved conversation with a friend, not really concentrating on the people who came in and sat down nearby (quite unusual!). Anyway, as soon as my friend went to the toilet a voice I heard a voice from slightly behind me and to the side of my table.
‘Excuse me… excuse me.’ I turned around and a man was looking at me.
‘Were you speaking Japanese?’ he continued
‘Yes.’
‘My friend here is Japanese and she says your Japanese is really good.’
‘Well, I’ve lived in Japan before…’ I explained.
‘Oh right. Where are you from?’
‘London.’
‘Really? My friend here thought you were Greek and I thought that you were Indian.’
I’ve been told I look half Chinese (I am), Japanese, even Spanish, but never Indian!
Haha, those are interesting ones!
I’ve been told Chinese (which I’m), Japanese, Korean and Filipino.
That’s quite a few, too =)
What’s interesting is that some people can tell that I’m half oriental whilst others don’t seem to pick up on it. Actually, lately more people that not do notice. Am I becoming more oriental looking as I grow older? I always thought it was the opposite from looking at my childhood photos.
this is interesting! i know people from southeast asia (thailand, laos etc.) always can’t differentiate between chinese, japanese and korean…maybe you are very tan haha…
I’ve been called Spanish and I’m Indian!