UTSUNOMIYA, Japan, Dec 1998. I was on a project with Honda R&D at Utsunomiya, Japan.
And I’m vegetarian.
The next day, Yoshioka-san — our counterpart at Honda — took us to the canteen and introduced me to the chef. Knowing that “vegetarian” in Japan includes eating fish and birds, I took the chef aside.
“I’m vegetarian,” I emphasised.
“Hai. Vegetarian.”
“I don’t eat fish.”
“Ah, so. No fish.”
“I don’t eat chicken. No birds.”
“Ah, so. No chicken.”
Pause. He looked puzzled. Just to be sure, I added, “I’m vegetarian.”
He thought for a long while, and then said,
“So, you eat only plants?”
P.S. I was finally served rice with brocolli. I ate it with pepper.
Ha 🙂
I had a similar experience in China and was offered lettuce leaves in vinegar.. I then remembered scolding my mom 2 months back on how the vathha kuzhambu was not up to the mark.
Niyalin Arumai Veyilil Teriyum…
interesting, myself anand from cochin, india, doin my grads here. saw ur site while searching for anand. . . .keep rocking, all the best
nice site. . .