Some of Reiko`s friends and family make her very sad because they constantly talk and ask questions about me leaving her feeling unloved and inferior. Many of her friends who didn`t talk to her before she left for England, now call or email her repeatedly and ask how Simon is or would Simon like to go do something ie. surfing, pachinko or the beach.

I wouldn`t mind doing those things but Reiko gets upset not only because she hates the beach but because the only reason they`ve called her (and these people are often her friends since childhood or close family) is so they can go out with me. Of course she can also come out as well but the sole reason is to look after their kids.

One of Reiko`s cousins from Yamaguchi has a young kid who is mysteriously having his birthday party at Hard Rock Cafe in Osaka in October and sent her mum an email which basically asked specifically if I`d like to go to the party (and on a sidenote her mum, Reiko and her sister could all go if they wanted.) Naturally this makes her feel pretty unimportant and is a bit rude considering they are closely related.

I don`t get why any of these people are so keen to invite me along. Reiko is far more interesting sober or drunk. I`m shy to the point of aloofness and then I get drunk and do embarassing things. This is where the panda effect (where the abnormal and unusual foreigner does simple things like using chopsticks for easy applause) comes in. In their worlds being close to a Westerner is unusual and exciting. This is cunningly used by many Westerners but has it`s drawbacks. They are all very friendly and nice people but doing all this makes her very sad. What do you reckon?

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