American car

Kochi City is great. One thing I really prefer here compared to most places in America is that I can go about my daily business on a bicycle. Work, shopping, socializing. Once you get used to it there's no going back.

Don't get me wrong. I love cars. I get "Car and Driver" magazine sent over here every month. It's just nice to have the option of not using one to get to work or go out for a beer and a game of pool.

But people I know are often surprised that I own or have figured out how to drive a car. I'm not sure why. If I snowboard or scuba dive, two challenging things to do, it wouldn't surprise anyone but driving a car in Japan -- that's just too much.

So here's the typical exchange:

"Owen, can you drive a car in Japan?"

"Sure. I have a license."

"International?" (even though know no one really knows what one is)

"No, I have a Japanese license."

(lots of blinking, uneasy glances around the room, but people usually get over it because they are eager to get to the next set of questions.)

"Owen teacher, do you have your own car in Japan?"

"I usually use my bicycle but sure, I have a car too. It's useful sometimes."
(I don't say much more because I'm waiting for the next question. ... are they gonna ask it again? please ask...drumroll...Okay, here it comes...)

"American car?"

YES!! They asked it! American car! I get such a kick out of that one. Okay, for people reading this in the year 2066 let me explain: there are about 6 American cars in all of Japan. Tokyo got 3 and each other major island got 1, thanks to a deal George HW Bush signed back in the day.

So yes, people think maybe I brought an American car over here with me. I get asked this a lot! The people who ask aren't trying to be funny either.

So when I say "Of course not!" other people tend to rationalize the situation and tell the person who asked things like:
"Yeah, of course he doesn't have an American car! American cars suck." OR

"Of course not silly! American cars are too big for Japanese roads." (Overlooking that there are buses and trucks in Japan not to mention that a Chevy Cobalt is the same size as a Honda Civic or that a Toyota Land Cruiser is a BIG car. But I digress.) OR

"Of course not. The handle is on the wrong side." (overlooking the fact that many people pay EXTRA to have a Benz with the steering wheel (aka handle) on the opposite side.) OR more esoteric ones like

"American cars can't use Japanese gasoline" OR "Foreign cars aren't used to the Japanese climate." (A lot of people believe this. Goes back to the uniqueness hangup.)

No one ever says "Of course not, taxes on foreign cars are much higher than domestic ones. And certain car parks charge more to park them." or even simply

"Why the $#@% would he have an American car here?" That's the one I'm waiting to hear.

so what was supposed to be a short blog in summation:

There are almost no American cars here but people think since I'm American I must drive one.