The Tap On My Shoulder

I hurriedly crossed the street in front of our local station to go to McDonald's for a quick snack.  It was close to 4 pm and I was starving.  I ate only a little for lunch that day.

I saw several people handing out flyers to passersby.  That is a usual sight here especially around train stations.  I heard a voice from a loud speaker and I knew someone was there at the station to advertise something or to make people aware about certain government or public issues.  No big deal for me, really.  I don't care to know about those things that concern only the native people here.

A lady gave me a flyer as I was walking. I took it, but didn't bother to look at it.

Then, as I was safely across the small street, I felt a tap on my shoulder.  I turned , expecting to see someone from the church, or one of my students, or a friend.  There was this lady in a light-green or yellowish shirt smiling at me.  I didn't recognize her . She bowed low and introduced her name.  I couldn't catch her name at first, because my mind was racing, "What's she saying?  Why is she smiling radiantly?"

Then I saw her hands in white gloves.  And immediately I thought, "Oh my, this lady is a candidate for an  election or something!" Here in Japan, people seeking for government posts usually go campaigning wearing white gloves .  The white gloves symbolize their purity and sincerity of intentions.  So they go, waving and shaking hands in those white gloves.

So I bowed too.  But all I could do was smile.  I did not even dare introduce myself, lest she would think I know much Japanese, and talk with me some more.   I held out my right hand.  She took it and then her eyes flickered a bit, now realizing that I am NOT a Japanese woman. For the Japanese ladies would rather bow than shake hands.

She stopped talking.  Kept on smiling though still holding my hand.  I smiled at her and lightly  pulled back my hand.  I turned to go, leaving her with that odd expression that perhaps meant, "Oh, oh...there goes one vote missed, huh!"

I went into McDo still wearing that silly smile on my face and hoping that no one among my acquaintances nor friends have seen me.

 It took me some time, even after gulping a small-sized Coke and chicken nuggets, to get over that giddy "someone-mistook-me-again-for-a-Japanese" feeling of delight and awe. This someone this time, was no ordinary person - this was a Parliamentary candidate for the July 21 elections across Japan!  How awesome is that! :)

Yuko Minato, Happiness Realization Party candidate for 2013 Parliamentary elections