Last week's experiences in Japan: for the first time ever

[Lydia Leftcoast]

in 27 years of visiting Japan, every Japanese person I spoke with at length asked me whether I was a Republican or Democrat, and when I said "Democrat," they seemed to look relieved.

Furthermore, I was twice accosted by expatriates asking me if I was registered to vote. I assured them that I was--only I was just visiting Japan. :-)

This has never happened to me before, either.

[mumon]

1. that's happened to me before...

I saw an "I Hate Texas" t-shirt there on a Japanese guy there just last week.

They really want Bush out.

[indef]

4. yeah but

we want him out for entirely different reasons. It's difficult for me to explain it to my students (yes, I'm one of the dreaded English teachers working in Japan), especially when I really want someone to empathize with me about how Bush is bad on just about every domestic issue that mattered to me when I was living in NY.

[JaySherman]

2. How was your visit?

:hi: I'm living in Japan now. Haven't encountered many Repug expats. And the locals are terrified of *.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

5. Spent it mostly in Tokyo visiting clients and friends

except for visiting friends in Nasu-Shiobara in Tochigi-ken over Autumn Equinox.

Hated the weather (either hot or rainy the whole time), but I love just BEING in Japan, so I didn't mind as much as I would have if it had been some place that I don't like.

[JaySherman]

7. The rain has been bad this year.

Finally starting to cool off though. Except for the weather, I wouldn't trade this gig for anything.

Now that you're back home, have you gotten the sushi cravings yet? Drives me nuts.

[fugue]

3. Interesting . . .

In 1992 I was tutoring a Japanese woman in English. She asked me if I was voting in the election, and I indicated that I was voting for Clinton.

She looked concerned. "I think it is better for our countries' friendship if the president is a Republican."

Times have definitely changed.

My boss is an Arizona entrepreneur currently living in Japan (the business is import related). She's voting for Kerry.

[Arioch]

6. My wife is Japanese...

...we were on vaca there in August.

Bush is hated beyond comprehension in Japan...

[ejcastellanos]

10. Anything to do with Bush getting ill?

Didn't Bush become ill in the presence of some Japanese dignitary early in his term?

[NewJeffCT]

13. I thought that was Bush Senior?

Didn't he vomit on a Japanese dignitary?

[nostamj]

14. you're thinking of his father...

who puked in the PM's lap at a state dinner...

[Democrat 4 Ever]

15. That was Bush41 upchucking on the Prime Minister during

a state dinner. He then slid to the floor and had to have his personal physician and the secret service carry him out. Something about "flu," time difference, lunar position, too much/too little exercise - think they threw out several different reasons. My personal favorite is I think he hit the sake a little too hard. Don't think the Japanese have had the warm fuzzies for us since.

[Polemonium]

8. This kind of thing is going on world wide

I know world opinion doesn't matter. It would be nice if more people could experience it though. You can't help but be amazed at the loss of US good-will by many people overseas, and no doubt about it if the world voted this one would not even be close.

[annabanana]

9. Well, the whole world is counting on us now.

I read that everyone out there figures "well, he STOLE that last election, so don't blame the Americans that you meet so much" but that if we don't get him thrown out THIS time they mightn't cut expats such slack.

Is this the feeling that those of you overseas are getting?

[indef]

12. not really, but it doesn't matter

I'm kicking out Bush for me, because it's in my best interest.

[Fleshdancer]

11. Life was easy for me in Japan....

I lived there when Clinton was President. No one ever asked me what my political party was. Ahh, the good ol' days!