Meeting President Clinton

A true story. A few years ago, Japanese Prime Minister Mori was
given some basic English conversation training before he visited
Washington and met President Bill Clinton. The instructor told
Prime Minister Mori, “When you shake hands with President Clinton,
please say ‘How are you?’ Then Mr. Clinton will say, ‘I am fine,
and you?’ Then you should say ‘Me too.’ Afterwards we, translators,
will do the work for you.” It looks quite simple, but the truth is
when Mori met Clinton, he mistakenly said “Who are you?” instead of
“How are you?” Mr.
Clinton was a bit shocked but still managed to react with humor,
“Well, I’m Hillary’s husband, ha-ha…” And Mori replied, “Me too,
ha-
ha…” Then there was a long silence in the meeting room.