Humble-off: Round 2!

I hesitate in calling this "round 2" since the participants are different, but it was the second humble-off that I have witnessed so the title will stay.

First, to set the stage.  It was my supervisor’s (Nishidate-sensei or 西舘先生） last day on Friday and my new supervisor (Yamaguchi-sensei or 山口先生）was getting her little tour of the teachers room.  Apparently, 山口 used to work here at Noheji High School, but she took 3 years maternity leave and is just now returning.  As a result, she knows a few of the teachers here.

So 西舘 of course offered her some tea and was showing her where her teachers desk is and what not, when suddenly, an office assistant （Daimaru-san or 大丸さん）entered the room.  山口 and 大丸 obviously knew each other and they started talking.

I didn't really understand everything they were saying to each other, but there was lots of bowing and repeating "so wonderful to see you again."  Of course, 西舘 was standing right next to 山口 and 大丸 bowing repeatedly at each other and must have felt a little left out because she started bowing  along with them.  Since this was happening right next to my desk, I decided I might as well join in so I started bowing and a great time was had by all.

So anyway, a few minutes later, 山口 finishes her tea and the humble-off begins.  山口 is clearly a veteran of the office and knows how to clean the dirty dishes and put them back, but of course, she was the guest, so 西舘 felt obligated to do the cleaning.  西舘 noticed the empty cup and grabbed it and was on her way to the sink to wash it, but 山口 wouldn't go down without a fight.  She stole the cup right from 西舘's hand and started doing a little Japanese walk/run/jog mix thing to the sink, of course 西舘 was chasing her the whole way screaming something like "no no no, I will clean that! Give that back!" and 山口 was just all like "no no no I got it."

So they get to the sink and a really awkward two person washing takes place and they both seem content to have drawn the humble-off.