Kid Ethnic: Mixed-Race Adventures in Japan: I Scare Small Children

I Scare Small Children · 18 August 04

It’s kind of true.

While touring schools here and walking around the neighborhood, kids sometimes run away. They usually peek back at me around the corner to giggle and wave, though.

It looks ridiculously like how little kids act in anime.

Other times students run at me with their cameras ready. So we crowd around and rock the peace sign together.

Photo of me and some students

Careful observers will note that in the above photo I’m wearing short sleeves and a tie. And sandals. And I’m rocking an Asian page-boy haircut.

But that’s all cool here in Japanland. Just like the basket on the front of my bicycle.

Trust me, I’d never lie to you.

| Permanent link to this

* * *

its so good to hear from you. this website is amazing. this website is so cheery and happy. why are you all wearing sandals, why are the girls all wearing the same sandals?? is it a requirement for the school? sorry Im so curious about that. stay well. I will check the website weekly. the pictures are great.
Loredana
— Loredana 1362 days ago #
Saleem, I have just been saleem-ified. That was great. Even greater is the fact that you’re all the way in Japan now, but you still make me laugh. I like the tie/short sleeve thing. And the sandals…? -Shinn
— laura shinn FARTHING 1362 days ago #
We’re all wearing our indoor shoes. When you come into the school, you have to switch your filthy outdoor shoes for comfy, clean, indoor ones.

The school keeps tons of identical ones in the front office, so kids and teachers can just slip those on if they like.

But most teachers keep their own pair at the school. My feet are too big, so the standard ones squish my manly toes.

Which is why I blew 40 bucks U.S. on the ultra-swank Old Testament-style ones you see here :)
— saleem 1362 days ago #
After you have your Japanese rock band, can I have your slippers to sell them on E-Bay? I need them to help pay off my student loans.
— jane lee. 1361 days ago #
Dude. I’m officially going to use my job because I keep audibly snorting and laughing. Snaughing.
Fish Heads and Silent Girls who shop for earrings and students that are happily scared of you. It all sounds a little fake to me. Are you sure this isn’t some elaborately staged blog…

Keep rocking the haircut. And you know, teaching and stuff.
— liz 1360 days ago #
Saleem, that photo is goddamn priceless. and the haircut is money.

greetings from Seoul!
— jp 1358 days ago #
You need to tell your Japanese friends that in America the peace sign is similar, but we put the index finger down and turn the hand in the opposite direction. Like Eminem.
— Brant 1326 days ago #

Test Your Halfblood Knowledge! | It Was Like a Cuteworld Abby Road