Long Time, No See

The Japanese LOVE this phrase. I hear it everyday! If I haven't seen someone in over a week they are guaranteed to use this phrase. This is an odd little phrase that we all know so well, but can't remember the last time we actually used it. I start laughing every time somebody uses it now. It is like a running joke I have with myself. The people around me just cock their heads and look strangley at me. Then they just shake their heads and say something I can't understand - probably something about how foreigners are all wacko.