And maybe you are too…
And I’ll bet there are numerous other franchisees out there who have acquired this same name in their areas too.
It seems that after being seen in my school area for years now, passing out flyers, shopping, etc… many of the locals greet me by the name
“スミスさん”
They just assume I am Mr. Smith.
I hear it in the morning from the bicycle parking area assistant when I arrive at one of the local stations to pass out flyers,
I hear it whispered by the local high school students when I am waiting for the train on the platform with them,
I hear it at the post office when I am waiting in line,
I hear it from the bank assistant, and most recently it seems that all of the employees across the street at the 99yen shop have suddenly taken notice of me and from the youngest to the oldest they have suddenly decided that they will try to only speak in English to me when I am at the store.
Usually it’s just greetings, but recently they have been gathering up some courage and have started to ask me where I’m from, what I do on my days off…
Last week the man at the register proceeded to count back my change in English and then wished me, “Mr. Smith”, a nice day!
You could tell he was trying his best.
He did a great job and I think that fellow is around 65 years old!
Life is fun being the local “Mr. Smith!”
a.k.a.
Alessandro “Alex” Stanciu
アレッサンドロ“アレックス”スタンシュー
Smith’s School of English Horie/Yotsubashi
月謝制のスミス英会話堀江校 / 四ツ橋校
http://www.smithweb.co.jp/school/horie.shtml 大阪市英会話
Smith’s School of English Fuse
月謝制のスミス英会話布施校
http://www.smithweb.co.jp/school/fuse.shtml 東大阪市英会話