osutoraria

Several more people joined the group and Yuki got to find out a lot about what Australians knew about Japanese culture. They knew a lot more than she expected and one of them had even eaten at a whale restaurant in Shibuya, but there was a lot more that they didn't know, didn't understand or just didn't care about.

She was particularly surprised by their disinterest in some particular manners. Apparently Australians treated everyone as equals so the idea of showing humility to someone who was in a higher level job or class or just older seemed to be against Australian culture. People even called the Prime Minister John or Johnny if they run in to him on one of his morning walks around Kiribilly.

"When I first came here a couple of years ago, I really had a lot of trouble fitting in," said Hee Jung. "I used to ask all the standard questions that I asked at home like 'How old are you?', 'Are you married?', 'Do you have a family?' etc. I soon realised these were NOT questions to ask for several reasons."
"Why?" asked Yuki.
"People don't want you to know their age unless they offer it. They don't want you to know that they're married as they may be planning to change that situation anyway, or they're separated and haven't finished the divorce proceedings yet. Australians have one of the highest divorce rates in the world! Oh and guys rarely want to get married anyway."
"What about children?"
"Lots of Australians with kids from previous relationships."
"No way!" Yuki was very surprised. She had no idea that relationships were so unstable.
"Yes, way! So you don't talk about kids if you plan to start a new relationship. It can get in the way!"
"So, why is everything so unstable?"
"I think it is because everyone is too happy. As soon as there's the slightest problem in a relationship people just give up and move on rather than try to make it work." Hee Jung replied.
"But, why would so many men move on? Why do men want to divorce so much" Yuki asked, incredulously.
Hee Jung laughed. "Men don't divorce that often. Remember, this is Australia. Women in control. Women are the ones that organise the relationships, ask men to marry them, then decide on the divorce once they've got the kids they want. The government also supports women really well so for a lot of Australian women, men are superfluous. Just sperm donors! Why do you think so many Australian men have married Japanese and Korean wives?"
Yuki was shocked. She saw Kumiko nodding in agreement. "Girl Power!" Kumiko said. "Get used to it Yuki. It's one of the reasons I'm here. Women are really in control of the relationships in Australia. Enjoy it. Take advantage of it. The boys are at our mercy!" Kumiko laughed.

Yuki nursed her drink and pondered the situation. She looked at the crowd. There was another Japanese girl that she hadn't met yet holding an empty glass. The girl looked at the Australian guys around the table and moved to sit next to another one of them, holding the empty glass. Yuki could see he had almost finished the beer he was drinking. The girl started talking to him as he finished and, he suddenly realised she had finished her drink and offered to buy her another one. The girl smiled then sat back in her seat and began talking to another guy there while the other guy went to buy her a drink.

Suddenly Yuki understood completely how easy this would be and why Kumiko had been outrageously flirting with Mick earlier. The men were powerless! Perhaps this would be fun afterall!

Kumiko seemed to be able to read her mind again. Sometimes it surprises her when she can do that. "Don't let it go to your head!" she said.

It was 10pm and Yuki had met about 20 fairly interesting people when suddenly a portly man swooped in through the door to a chorus of "Adam" and began giving air kisses to everyone.

Yuki saw him accept a glass of wine before making a beeline direct to Kumiko.
"Daaarling!" he said. Kumiko winked at Yuki then gave him a kiss on each cheek.
"How are you doing, Adam?" she asked.
"Oh, you know how it is. Things to see, people to do!" he said with a wry grin.
Kumiko smiled at his old joke and introduced Yuki to him.
Adam spoke to her in fluent Japanese. She was very surprised. He asked her what she was doing in Australia and how long she planned to be here. Then he asked her about the upcoming Apec meeting and whether Sydney Tower would be closed for it.
"Your Japanese is very good" she commented.
"It helps if your partner's from Japan!" he said, winking. Then he reached out and lightly touched her hair.
"Hmm, I think I can help you with your split ends and bring a bit of life to your hair. Why don't you come along to my salon on Oxford Street and I'll give you some special treatment."
Yuki was very flattered and took his card before he moved off to talk to other people. Kumiko had already wandered off to talk with others and Yuki suddenly realised that she was alone at the table, with an empty glass. She knew what she had to do.