My friend had to head to his part-time job again, so I settled dinner at an okonomiyaki shop nearby. It turned out that a surprise was awaiting me.
While I was waiting outside the shop for a seat, there was this family waiting too. A shop attendant came out to take orders, and when it came to my turn, I had to reveal the fact that I wasn’t Japanese. It was really nice of the shop attendant to speak slowly so that I could understand what he was trying to ask.
The family, upon knowing that I wasn’t Japanese, and was alone, followed by inviting me to join them at their table. I gladly accepted their invitation, since I was all alone. We began chatting about in simple Japanese, and they were rather surprised that I could roughly understand what they were speaking, and reply back to their question too. I’ve lost count of the number of times they’ve said 「日本語上手だね」, even though I can only manage with basic small talk in Japanese. Anything more than that, I’ll probably be stumped.
The okonomiyaki and yakisoba were soon done, and we continued our chat while we ate. The food was really delicious, and it was my first time entering an okonomiyaki shop where the food was cooked right at the hotplate on the customer’s table, just as seen in Jdoramas. I’m starting to feel like I’m living in one of Adachi Mitsuru’s mangas.
The family was really friendly even though I was a stranger, what more a foreigner. I think I was really lucky to have met such a family, since it’s a rare encounter to be able to meet such people, be it in Japan or Singapore.
When we were done with the meal, I wanted to pay for my share, but they rejected and treated me instead. I was already glad that I didn’t have to spend dinner time alone, but their treat made me feel slightly bad. After all, it was the first, and probably the last time that we would be meeting each other. Yet they displayed such kindness and generosity.
Before we parted, the son gave me his name card, together with some recommendations regarding what food I should definitely taste while I’m in Fukuoka. I knew about Hakata ramen, but Motsunabe was something new to me. It’s supposed to be cow’s stomach in a hotpot. Sounds delicious.
Our time together was soon over, and we parted ways. I made my way back to my friend’s house, only after getting lost for 20 minutes. The roads were pitch black, with the only lights shining from the houses. This made it really difficult for me to remember the route back, since I have a really poor memory.
Today, yet another interesting experience was gained!
To end off, the above’s a shot I took while wandering around the neighbour not too long after the sun descended.
Wooo! They’re really nice for treating you! They must have been wondering why this poor little boy was eating by himself. X3()() Hahaha, you look like their son!
One wishes more kindness like that was evident in more parts of the world.
Also lost for 20 minutes was lulz.
What. There was a Singaporean in the photo?
Wow.. It is really nice of them to treat you.. Its really rare to have such kind and generous people do that to you, whether in Singapore or Japan or around the world..
Well, I totally agree with Soshi.. You almost look like their son.. xD
They must have thought you resembled their favourite manga character, Madarame from Genshiken.
But seriously, WHY SO FUN Double. Shit.
You’d better send them some “thanks” gifts later
Wow, small world and kind people.
I shall now write a aniblogger fanfiction called double no tabi: it’s a beautiful Japan.
LoL~ Madarame-live. I wished I was there too. It would be nice to have that kind of encounter. Last time I experienced it was the time I got hit on by a group of girls at a dessert shop in HK.
Really nice peoples.
Should sent them some gift to their house as a token of apprecation for their kindness.
LOL 「日本語上手だね」, you’re probably get that a lot.
Now I know there’s a way to get treated to a meal even if my hair isn’t blonde and my eyes aren’t blue.
It’s not strange now when I get comments that I look like a Japanese. Must be the hair though. I think I’ll return back to looking like a Singaporean once I shave in 2 years time.
As much as I wanted to give them something in return, I couldn’t since I didn’t have anything with me at the shop except for my camera and tripod.
Wow! Cool experience as you said.. getting invited to share the table…
Good you have high speech skills.. ^_^
おごってくれたんだ!
偶然いい人たちと出会えてよかったね^^
phossil> Sad to say, my conversation skill are rather basic.
satomi > 本当に嬉しかった！
How nice! If you were in Malaysia, you would have been mugged ages ago www
Shin > That’s why I’ll never go to Malaysia alone.
Shin > That’s why I’ll never go to Malaysia alone.
LOL…Totally agree.