File 029564
Humorous Anecdote About Japanese Prime Minister Meeting Barack Obama (File 029564)
A comedic story about a misunderstanding during a conversation between a Japanese Prime Minister and President Barack Obama, involving a mistake in English phrasing during diplomatic training.
Summary
This document contains a humorous anecdote describing an English language training session for a Japanese Prime Minister before meeting President Barack Obama. The Prime Minister is instructed to greet Obama with 'how r u' but mistakenly says 'who r u' instead. Obama responds with humor, and the Prime Minister's inadvertent reply creates an awkward moment in the diplomatic meeting.
English is a difficult language......for some!This is a true story from the Japanese Embassy in US!!!A few days ago, Prime Minister Mon was given someBasic English conversation training before he visitsWashington and meets president Barack Obama...The instructor told Mon Prime Minister,when you shake hand with President Obama, please say 'how r u'.Then Mr. Obama should say, 'I am fine, and you?' Now, you shouldsay 'me too'. Afterwards we, translators, will do the work for you.'It looks quite simple, but the truth is...When Mori met Obama,he mistakenly said 'who r u?' Instead of 'How r u?..)Mr. Obama was a bit shocked but still managed to react with humor:'Well, I'm Michelle's husband, ha-ha..'Then Mon replied 'me too, ha-ha...'.Then there was a long silence in the meeting room.