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From
Osaka to Tokyo
Adventures
of a French girl when she traveled to Japan
By Pierre
Coda Continued from previous page: Home
spa in Tokyo
It
was a bit surreal for me. I was in one of the world’s largest cities for the
first time. I had found a
dream job. At least two
wonderful men in Tokyo were romantically interested in me.
If life just went on like this, I would no longer be the Mama’s
girl that everyone thought of me. And
now I was sitting here with clothes that barely covered my body with
another half-dressed Japanese girl whom I did not know until three days ago. I had just received a back rub that had produced some
interesting sensations in me. As
we teased each other about how we looked and drank wine while nibbling on
pizza, we realized that we connected so well.
Yumiko mentioned how flat she used to be when she was growing up
and how she envied those girls in school who were often teased by
the boys for their "headlights."
“I am much bigger now,” she said as she lifted her slip and
held hers in her palms. I
was not ready for a repeat show from Osaka.
This was not a conversation I wanted to have.
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I
had told LaCroix that I would need to go back to Osaka before I could
start work in Tokyo but he had insisted that I come to work for at least a
few hours for a day or two before my trip to make sure that I understood
my responsibilities better and when I started work officially, I could
take on my responsibilities immediately.
Yumiko gave
me I a few tips on surviving in the Japanese
workplace. The trick to
survival is to maintain only professional relationships with colleagues,
work smartly, and to always dress with
class. There is simply no
place for poorly dressed people in Tokyo. I was a little bit
concerned if I would be able to muster enough class to hold my own during
the next few days. I definitely did not have the clothes and would
have to use some of Yumiko's suits.
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 I
arrived
at work around 3 PM and knew that I was expected to be there for just two
hours to attend the weekly executive meeting. The idea that LaCroix
had was to let me meet the whole team and also to give me a sense of what
the issues before the team were. I did not speak a word nor was I
expected to. I realized midway through the meeting that all the fun
that I had as a teenager may not be available any more. Not only was
the museum facing several tight deadlines, I would have to start with
practically no experience and make sure that everything went right.
LaCroix
was especially kind to me. He would interrupt the meeting every time
there was an issue where some context was needed. He would briefly
explain the background so that I could better appreciate the discussion.
I was taking copious notes but knew that I would have to talk at length to
all the team members before I would have a deep understanding of the
issues and I could discharge my responsibilities more effectively.
At
the end of the meeting, LaCroix proposed that he would like all those, who
could make it, to join him for a drink to welcome the new team member.
I was flattered, and of course, surprised since I did not consider myself to
be an employee yet. I had no choice but to go as it would help me
know the team better in a more relaxed environment. The bar was
already crowded with salarymen
and office ladies who were enjoying themselves after work. This was
the first time that I went to one of these bars. Everybody
congratulated me and warmly welcomed me. I even felt a little
overwhelmed by all this attention.
I was
also starting to feel a little uncomfortable with so much attention from
LaCroix. He was behaving a little bit like a French gentleman, of
course, but that was not what I wanted to see here in Tokyo, and that too
from my boss. I had not had many boyfriends. A thought just
flashed in my mind, "Why does LaCroix want to know things that even I
don't think about? Like what made him ask what sports I played in
school and even which restaurant in Tokyo did I like so far."
I
was
starting to get drunk as everyone continued to pour drinks for me.
Several team members were leaving giving all sorts of excuses, as
was customary. I was also tired of answering questions and wanted to
leave. It was clear that LaCroix was tired too. After all he
had been working hard all day and was in several meetings. LaCroix,
Tanaka, and I were the last ones to leave. The three of us took a
cab so that they could drop me at the train station.
I sat
next to LaCroix since he was the one to get out soon. He put his
hand behind me. I did not understand if he wanted to feel my body
next to him or was just trying to accommodate his huge frame in a Tokyo
cab. I thought, "Was he making a pass at me? It did feel
good to sit so close to him though. Oh no, I should not even be
thinking like this. He is
my boss and this is not even my first day
at work."
~
Next part: Another
date with a Japanese man in an art gallery
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