geisha

Here's an embarrassing moment: On the 'The Oprah Winfrey Show' (weekdays, syndicated), Winfrey had a segment on Australian-born Sayuki, the only non-Japanese geisha in the world.

Becoming a geisha takes years of study and practice in a number of fine arts, but Winfrey boiled it all down to sex. "So when you're in training, is there a way to pour tea?" Winfrey asked Sayuki via a video link. "Is there a way to do it to really make a man want you?" Sayuki was clearly perturbed. "Sex has never been part of a geisha's job and I want to emphasize that," she said. "There are so many American misconceptions about that. I want that message to get across."

"Well, you cleared that up for me," an embarrassed Winfrey said.

Watch the video after the jump.