Brief Encounter

My woeful tale needs some back-story before I begin.

An Izakaya - meaning "to remain in a sake shop" - is a popular bar type hang-out for groups of people after work. They're pretty fantastic; with many types of drinks and a hearty selection of snacky foods which everyone shares. The food is cheap - about £1 per plate - so you keep ordering and picking away at it. An example of a menu can be found here. Seating is usually on tatami mats or cushions with tables lowered into the ground.

A Snack is a bit more upmarket, where customers are usually long-running friends with the woman that runs it. They're smaller, more elite (although anyone is welcome) and the 'hostess' drinks with the customers. Prices aren't set; instead a substantial amount is usually handed over at the end.

Keiko's Dad comes to Tokyo on business once or twice a month, and usually goes to one for some drinks. We met him a few weeks ago and he took us to a Snack in central Tokyo which, incidentally, appears to be famous; the President of NOVA goes there. I met Mama (the name given to a Snack hostess) and we ate, drank and laughed with her for a few hours. It was a great evening, and I couldn't wait to go back.

About two weeks ago, Keiko recieved a phone call from her father saying that a man who spent time in England would like to meet us for dinner one night and chat in English with me. Of course, I couldn't say no to her Dad and I wanted to go back, so I said yes.

On Sunday night, we went to the bar, but Keiko and I were the first ones there. The man, a Mr Suzuki, turned up about 10 minutes later. Before any introductions, he told me that he wouldn't be paying me tonight but from now on we would meet once or twice a month and he would pay for dinner and a fee of 6000 yen (about £30) per time.

I had absolutely no idea what was going on; Mama, not speaking English, was oblivious; Keiko and I both dropped our mouths and looked at each-other in a "what the hell?" way. But, I couldn't say no. For one, we were waiting for her Dad still and it would've been a slightly awkward meeting. But more importantly, it was a business contact of Keiko's father, so I felt obliged to say yes.

In all honest truth, I wouldn't have been so against meeting this man, but quickly I didn't like his manners. For someone wanting to practice English, he'd speak in one-word answers, wouldn't ask me anything, ignored Keiko, and talked about himself in the third person. Arrogant and self-obsessed, he kept talking about how he was a President of a company and how rich he was.

At that point, I asked how long he knew Mr Terui. He didn't. Mama had told him about me.

Suddenly, I realised that I had no obligations to meet this man again, but I still felt that it could cause tension between Mama and her customers in the future, so I went along with it.

Keiko's Dad arrived and quietly she started explaining what was going on to him while I distracted Suzuki. I think it was also dawning on Mama that things weren't so rosy. I don't think she knew he wanted to make this a long term thing. I also felt that the way he kept talking about my services to him, how unpersonal he was, and the way he'd pay me, made me feel a little escort-like. And you know, it's going to take a lot more than £30 and dinner to prostitute myself!

Mr Terui understood quickly, and swiftly started commenting about how busy I was at work, and that we had to leave as we had reservations at a restaurant.

The man gave me his business card and asked me to e-mail him. Is it rude of me if I don't?

It was a very confusing and awkward situation, where I had no idea what to say. Afterwards, I apologised to Mr Terui but he told me that it wasn't a problem and definitely not my fault.

I doubt I'll be going back to the Snack for a long time.