Recently I had a minor automobile accident. How often have you seen drivers discussing their accident with the police and felt great sympathy for the participants, who were obviously going to be there for a very long time. This time one of the participants was me, and I was, even though the damage was little more than a small exchange of paint, mine red, his white, on our respective bumpers. We waited quite a while for the policeman to come. After a few questions, he began writing his report. I was surprised that he took off his cap when he turned to me. I hadn't expected such politeness. But then I realized that this was not a courtesy being extended. Inside his cap was a map and he was checking the proper name of our location. Surreptitiously. He was quite embarrassed when he realized I was watching him with, I suppose, sympathetic amusement. I wonder if it will effect the insurance settlement. It does give credence to the popular view that no one in Japan knows addresses except neighborhood postmen.

It was a more pleasant experience than my first encounter with a traffic policeman. I don't remember my offense, but I was signaled to stop alongside the road, which I did. Then I sat in my car waiting -- and waiting -- for the officer to come and explain the problem like in the United States. Eventually he got off his motorcycle, came to my car and, a bit piqued, explained that I was supposed to come to him. He went back to his motorcycle, and I got out of my car and respectfully stood beside his motorcycle. I apologized for my ignorance of Japanese ways, he gave me a warning concerning my misdemeanor. Then we bowed and went on our respective ways, both wiser for the encounter.

Many of you have been away for the summer so you missed the announcement of two new classes about to begin under Temple University's program of continuing education. First, Sandra Shoji's class on wine has proved so popular that this semester there will be two, the basic Voyage Around the World in a Glass on Saturday afternoons for eight weeks starting Oct. 2, and a more advanced class, a Wine Workshop for the Wine Enthusiast, Thursday evenings for eight weeks starting on Sept. 30.