Japanse English

A few years ago, Prime Minister Mori of Japan was given some basic English conversation training before he visits Washington and meets president Bill Clinton…

The instructor told Prime Minister Mori, when you shake hand with President Clinton, please say ‘how are you?’

Then Mr. Clinton should say, ‘I am fine, and you?’ Now, you should say ‘me too’. Afterwards we, translators, will do the work for you.’

It looks quite simple, but the truth is…

When Mori met Clinton , he mistakenly said
‘Who are you?’ (instead of ‘How are you?’)

Mr. Clinton was a bit shocked but still managed to react with humor:
‘Well, I’m Hillary’s husband, ha-ha…’

Then Mori replied
‘me too, ha-ha.. .’.


Then there was a long silence in the meeting room.



Moral of the Story

Let the Experts do their Work