The Love Doctor

I feel I am being perceived as The Love Doctor. Not by my girlfriends nor my sisters, not even by my boyfriend but... by my bosses. Yes, both of them and indipendently of one another. I spent the last week being heavily involved in their stories at the office. Different stories, sad and curious at the same time. Small, personal stories lost in the immensity of Tokyo.

The Japanese lady boss and I are having lunch at 'GARB', funky restaurant that opens up on the street in Marunouchi. The sun is gentle and the leaves of the trees around us are one big, stunning explosion of warm colors. Autumn is my favourite season in Japan and I can totally get into the 'momiji' mood, but I think it's a pity that many persons here cannot share the beauty of it with someone special. Tokyo is home to so many workaholic singles...

Boss: 'Don't laugh please, I would like you to help me'
Me: 'Sure, go ahead'
Boss: 'Do you know any men for me? I want to meet someone that I can talk to but it is so difficult now that I am 40 and don't socialize as much as I did when my friends were also single. I feel so embarassed, don't laugh. I have given my best years to the company and now I want to take care of myself. You know what I mean, I need someone to spend my time with.'
Me: 'I see... Uhmm... I could take you along when I go to some parties... Have you ever checked the personal classifieds on the Metropolis magazine?

The male boss and I are having breakfast at Starbucks in the building next door because the one in our building only opens up at 11 AM. You might as well have lunch at 11 AM.

Married, successful, gaijin. They often say that once Japanese women have children, they stop being wives to become full-time mothers and that's why their men have lovers. My boss found himself a young Japanese girlfriend and she recently broke up with him (because he is already married of course).

Boss:'Sometimes women can push you too far... So at some point they should appreciate what they get... Or alternatively take the suicide approach... Strange to want to break up because you are too in love and can’t control yourself versus break up when you hate someone and aren't having a good time... There seem to be a self destruct button in many ladies these days.. I despair.. '

Me: 'Don't know, I guess it's the rational side of her telling that it's not a long-term, sustainable emotional investment and that she should walk away. '

Boss: 'Her final word before I hung up was she doesn’t understand me... Not sure if I want to keep revisiting this on a monthly basis... Everyone know what’s there... Why push for more? Even if I could, not sure I would offer more... God last things I would want is a lifetime of this... Seems to be a monthly ritual, where emotions play havoc and you are damned if you do and damned if you don't... '