Is a question I have received frequently from my students. I’ve both told them the truth and lied, but no matter what, they’re confused. If I’m Japanese, why do I speak English and have curly hair? If I’m not Japanese, how is it that I’m living in Japan and can speak some Japanese?

So, am I Japanese?

Yes:
-I eat just about everything with chopsticks.
-I apologize unnecessarily.
-I eat fish, rice and miso soup for breakfast.
-I recognize the supreme authority given to Rock, Paper, Scissors for resolving interpersonal conflicts.
-I can be sitting with 4 friends at dinner, and be (just as everyone around me) pounding away on my cell phone sending emails.
-I take my shoes off when I come home, and require that of all my guests. My take-off-shoes reflex is so strong, that when entering hotel rooms, I feel odd leaving my shoes on.
-I look forward to nights out ending with a trip to the local karaoke place.
-I eat Japanese-size portions.
-During conversations, I make “I’m listening” grunts and short “OK” comments, even to Americans, which throws off some Americans who are used to silence on the other end when they are speaking. Similarly, if I’m speaking to someone and I don’t receive that same feedback, I wonder if the person I’m speaking to is still there.
I stare at any and all foreigners.

No:
-I’m tall.
-I have curly hair.
-I cross the street on red.
-I can’t stand natto. (a popular bean curd dish – it’s the Japanese Vegemite)
-I think for myself, openly question authority.
-I can’t read kanji.
-I don’t consider 9:31 to be late, when the schedule says 9:30.
-I can’t sit in the seiza position.
-I hate sitting on the ground.
-Lastly, I was born in America..