Spring in Japan is such a wonderful season. The Sakura are starting to fall with the early spring rain but the beauty of its cascading petals are incomparable. Having been in Japan for three years already, I thought today was going to be another beautiful spring day. I was mistaken, all it took to make it one of my worst was just 700 Yen.
After meeting my professor during the morning, I decided to try this French restaurant near his place. I saw their ad in a local newspaper and seeing that they had reasonable lunch menus, I decided to try it out. Since I was planning on going to the gym later in the afternoon, I was just wearing a light windbreaker and jogging pants. Well, since it is just a casual lunch, I thought that it wouldn't be a problem. I was wrong.
After patiently waiting for it to open by 11:30, I entered the restaurant and wasn't noticed at first. The first greeting that came to me wasn't the usual "Irrashaimase" (Welcome) but a seemingly perplexed chef saying "Okyaku sama iru soudesu" (There seems to be a customer) to the waitress. A middle aged woman then asked me if I was a customer. I said, "Hai, hitori desu" (Yes, I am alone) in polite Japanese. The lady seemed unfriendly and cold, but then I thought maybe she had a rough morning (although the restaurant just opened). In spite of being the first customer, it took a while for her to serve me some water and bring my menu. Again I thought that when a restaurant opens, the service is always slow. Well, that's how small restaurants are, they are not always fast but they give personal service.
After going over their menu, I decided on Lunch C - Grilled Chicken in a special french sauce with rice, soup and salad. As I gave my order, I asked her how the chicken was served. I was expecting a small smile from the lady and a bit more explanation on their gourmet dish but all she gave me was a frank and disconcerting answer, "the chicken is grilled" in very plain nihongo. Well, no harm done; yes, I will have the chicken please.
The soup was good and the grilled chicken, tender and deliciously sauteed. The sauce was good as well, very subtle but it really went well with the chicken. As it was my habit when dining alone, I always read something while having my meal. As I was going through a short history of development theories in economics, another Japanese couple came for lunch. They were wearing nice sweaters and khakis, they looked like they were going to golf later. It was at this moment that I realized I was a bit under dressed for this restaurant. Oh well, that's what you get for trying new places.
Feeling awkward, I quickly finished my meal. It was too bad, I was planning to have some coffee and some dessert while finishing my required readings. As I stood up and went to pay at the cashier, the lady gave me the customary "Doumo arigatou gozaimashita". Funny, it was the coldest thank you I received in my whole life. Still not maintaining any eye contact, she said that my bill was 700 yen. As I payed my bill, I decided to give the biggest denomination I had, a 10,000 yen bill in plain view of all the other 1000 yen I had in my wallet. Finally I saw a hint of emotion in her facial expression even as she avoided my gaze. Her look of irritation as she gave me my 9,300 change was not enough to remove the anger, disgust and pain I felt in my heart. Never have I been insulted in my life as much as today.
Of course I don't blame and generalize the Japanese for being cold and inhospitable. To the contrary, they are the warmest and kindest people I have met in my whole life. I love and miss my host parents, my colleagues, my churchmates and my special someone. Although I take pride in Tsukuba being one of the most foreigner friendly cities in Japan, I guess there are always exceptions to the rule. It was too bad that the restaurant had such bad service. The food was excellent but I would rather have a bentou from our corner Combini with our warm and smiling obaachan (grandmother) anytime. The food was cheap, all it took was 700 Yen for a cold shoulder. Gochisou sama deshita (thank you for the meal).
