[BjornTobyWilde]

I taught in a university where the "boys" and "girls" wouldn't go near each other. I never tried a ten foot pole, but I don't reckon it would have helped...

They all seemed to prefer touching me. I'm not sure what most Japanese guys think about western women here, in terms of their sexuality. One of my female friends was shouted at by some old guy who said "Go back to America! You American women only come here for sex!" - Japan being such a sexual utopia for gaijin girls!

One other thing, mercedesjin, have you tried speaking in a low voice? High-pitched voices make it sound like you're trying to be cute, apparently.