I started off working in a kebab shop. Since I'm half-Japanese on my Mother's side, the customers found my appearance in this Turkish food shop strange.
Many-a-time a drunken-Geordie walked into the shop, saw me, then walked out and took another look at the 'kebab sign', before returning with a puzzled look and saying, 'Shouldn't you be in the c****ies down the road?'
Then I joined the army at age 16. Unfortunately my ex-SAS troop Corporal's Grandad was killed in the 'war' by the Japanese.
My basic training wasn't much fun until he died in a car crash during my 7th week and I realised there was actually a God.
From then on, I was allowed to enter my living accommodation through the front door; rather than having to shin up the pole supporting the porch and climb through the first floor window, to get to my bed-space. My Troop Corporal said I wasn't 'good enough' to use the front door; being half-Japanese. When he was dead he couldn't stop me.
It hasn't all been bad though. Once in Ireland as a soldier, drinking undercover in an out of bounds establishment; I pretended I was Japanese and managed to get blind drunk without getting murdered by the Republican thugs that frequented the Chinese establishment. I nearly got caught out when I didn't know where the toilets were though, when asked by a well known terrorist.
Anyway, since leaving the army after 17 years I have been promoted to Moderator on this site and have several (or eight) regular window cleaning customers.
At least now, no-one (apart from Roger, Ian or Graham) makes fun of me because I've got slanty eyes!
I will shortly be progressing to using a water-fed pole!