I had a friend in college named Fujio; he was a very smart and motivated Japanese guy. We had met in a computer science course during our sophomore year and developed a strong friendship. We double dated a few times, but I noticed that nothing physical ever really happened with the women he dated. I never knew if the cultural differences had anything to do with it, but every time I tried to set him up with someone, he pushed back and resisted. I always got the impression that he dated these girls to make me happy. By the middle of our junior year, I gave up trying to hook him up with anyone. I would later come to find out that Fujio had a girlfriend back in Japan whom he later married.
After senior year, Fujio went back to Japan and I did not hear from him for several years. I got involved in a small "start-up" in the early-nineties, and the company saw modest gains turn into substantial profit by '97. As the business grew, so did our reputation on a national and global stage. Anyone who is familiar with "Start-ups", knows that they are hit or miss, and that the people who stick it out with the ones that "Hit", generally make a lot of money, as well as rise quickly through the companies hierarchy. As of 1998, I was in a top position with the firm, and things were going great. I soon got a phone call that changed my life. Fujio called one day, unexpectedly. I was surprised by his call, considering that I had not heard from him since college. He tried to be cordial and make some polite "small talk", but he was always very forward, and I could tell he had something important to say.
Finally, and I could tell this startled him a little, I said "Fujio, cut the bullshit, what's on your mind" He started to laugh, and told me after all these years; I still seemed like a brash 21 year old. Fujio went on to tell me all about the company he worked for and the hardware and software they developed. I was so psyched to be talking to him, that it completely escaped me that he was giving me a sales pitch. He told me, in detail, about how our companies should work together, he even had a detailed plan about how to bring "our product" to market. I finally had to stop him, and remind him that it was not my decision to make alone, and that I had two other people to consult. My partners Steven, David, and I talked it over thoroughly, and decided we would meet with Fujio to discuss a possible cooperative agreement.
Fujio was thrilled; he arranged to fly into New York in three weeks time. Fujio was to arrive on Friday Morning, and stay the week, as he had not ever visited New York before and wanted to do some sight seeing. Friday evening after a much-needed nap from the long flight, my partners and I were to meet Fujio in the lobby of his hotel for drinks, and then a night out on the town. After the introductions were made, and several cocktails, the four of us piled into the limo we rented and headed off to some of the better strip clubs in the city. I made it a point of telling my partners how Fujio had always fought me about the women I tried to set him up with as a striking brunette was giving him an erotic table dance. As the evening wore on, we were being quite worked up by the gorgeous women in the club and the alcohol. Fujio said that the women at the club were beautiful, but that a man had not lived until he experienced an Asian woman. He went on to explain their docile mannerisms, their delicate touch, and the fact that they wanted only to please.