Hot Pepper Model

I entered the staff lounge yesterday, eating Andes Mint Chocolates that I bought at an international food store.

"Hey Ryan," a co-worker said to me as I entered. "Is this a picture of you in a Hot Pepper ad?" Hot Pepper is a monthly local publication that has ads and coupons for all kinds of services, including English schools.



"No."

"Are you sure? Look at this picture."

I took a look.




"No, Jake, that's a Japanese woman."

"No, next to her..."

I looked again.



"Oh yeah, hmm... I guess that is me..."

"What are you doing in an ad for a school that you don't work for?"

I stopped to think. That was a good question. I recognized the student I was teaching. Why couldn't I remember this photo being taken? The picture doesn't look like it was taken from across the room. And how could a company that I don't work for publish me in their advertising without even notifying me? (let alone paying me) My head started to hurt.

"To be honest, Jake," I replied. "A lot of things happen in this country that I don't understand."

I went back to eating my Andes Mint Chocolates.