Awkward moment

To tell the truth, I really don't know why after 2 years in Japan I still assume Japanese people can speak English. And I don't mean young Japanese, but like older ones.

I guess there's a reason why in the US they call Massachusetts drivers MAssholes. Cause we are. We're the worst drivers in the entire country! We're gonna cut you off, then flip ya or swear at ya: "Learn how to drive, you asshole!"

So, today, right? I'm on my bike, pedaling to the station after my Japanese class. It's hot, I'm hungry... Suddenly, from one of those back streets, come flying this obasan, an old Japanese woman. Not looking, obviously not carrying about pedestrians or other bicyclists.
I squeeze my breaks, tires squeaking, my bicycle going sideways... I manage not to fall off of it and not to collide with an old... woman.

Then, as she passes me by, I hear her say: "Assol!" At least I thought that was what she said. A masshole in me kicks in, I'm like, "I'm an asshole?! You f***** bitch! Learn how to drive!" As I'm about to yell at her, another old woman emerges from that back street. Her friend. Apparently, the two were talking to each other, so what the first obasan said was: "Ah, sou", a Japanese equivalent of "Is that right?"

Glad I didn't yell at her. Man, that'd be awkward! A lesson to be learned! No matter where I am, I'm still a masshole!