I recently won a speech contest & passed the JLPT and my school rewarded me financially (¥100,000). Now there is this staff, fellow countrymen, I can say we usually have random conversations but I don’t consider him part of my circle. Just being nice since we’re from the same country.
Whenever he has the information (since he works at the int’l student dept) that I got something, he would often joke around (more than twice, third today) to treat him. Sometimes he gets a bit pushy too. He even asked if I already received the money. It could be his way of having a convo or getting comfy or whatever it is, but I find it off-putting.
This is not the first time. When I arrived here, the company that sponsored me gave me a monthly allowance to help me settle in. He knows when it will be deposited and the amount. He tried to borrowed money that time & even calls on my phone, I knew something was off from him so I refused and said I have bills to pay etc.
During his birthday he asked that we (fellow student, same country) buy a cake for him, out of courtesy we did & he emphasized that in Japan, if it’s your birthday you’ll be treated (opposite in our country). Then my birthday comes, he called and said, “it’s your birthday, treat us!” Because it’s the norm in our country. And I responded “now that it is my birthday then it’ll be our country’s custom that will be followed? Lol”
Last short story: we (students) decided to day camp during the summer, I didn’t invite him, one of the students did, we were 5. I allotted what to bring to people so we have equal share. When I sent him what he needed to bring, he jokingly responded “X said I’m a guest of honor so I don’t need to bring anything”. Yes he really didn’t contribute ANYTHING, not even water. He even, again jokingly, said that the food wasn’t that delicious. I’m stunned.
He works full time and as student visas, we can only work on limited hours thus limited income. I think if I was on his place, I would not financially bother students. I don’t know how to handle this type of person and even respond to him.
If you guys can share your sound advices, it would be a great help. We see each other everyday at school so it’s difficult to avoid this person. My apologies for the long post and thank you so much for taking the time to read.
by bakedsashimipj