Unexpected Gift

Yesterday I took a day off and went to an exhibition in Osaka. I enjoyed it very much, even though it was very crowded and even though everybody around me seemed to snap pictures all the time. Sometimes even without looking at the art in detail at all. I don’t get it…

Anyway, when I came back to Kyoto I was to meet a friend at the Takashimaya department store. Near their information counter – always a good meeting spot – there are a few seats available, and I sat down next to an elderly lady, who, in truly elderly lady fashion immediately struck up a conversation with me. (Elderly people love to talk to me!) It was the usual: where are you from, oh you live in Kyoto, what are you doing… kind of conversation which I can hold up quite well by now. And she asked if I come to the Takashimaya often, and I answered, well, sometimes, today I’m meeting a friend here. And she said that she was just done with her own shopping and then she began rummaging in her bag.

Takashimaya Gift CertificateAnd then, suddenly and completely unprovoked, she took out her wallet and gave me a Takashimaya gift certificate for 1000 yen. Just like that. And then she shook my hand, mentioned in getting up that she was 80 years old, and then she left, never to be seen again.

I’m still flabbergasted. Why on earth would she give this to me? I never really know how to deal with these random acts of kindness, other than say “thank you very much” and roll with it. Anybody else got any suggestions?

3 thoughts on “Unexpected Gift”

  1. Start carrying Mannerschnitten (other Austrian sweets are available ;)) with you at all times to hand out as return gifts. 😀

    1. That’s actually a nice idea! I haven’t found Mannerschnitten here yet, but, lo and behold: My supermarket (the standard Japanese one, not one of those import places) is now selling Soletti! I made a little dance in the aisle when I found them – trust me, there are no better Salzstangerl out there than Soletti! And they are relatively cheap as well, I’m so thrilled!

      1. It’s the small things. 🙂

        I missed proper bread when I lived in England. I was so happy when I found a Polish bakery. 😀

Comments are closed.