Last night, I did something I never, ever, ever do - except sometimes.
I drove through Burger King on my way home from work.
I was in a hurry, as I needed to get home in time for a shareholder's meeting at my housing co-op. These meetings are highly contentious events - lots of shouting, occasional chair-throwing. I needed my strength. So I have an excuse for doing the fast-food thing...please don't write in any comments about my diet.
So, anyway, I pulled up to the black column with the two-way speakers and contemplated the dollar value menu. The speaker crackled to life.
"Konichi-wa! May I take your order?" the box scratched.
Momentarily stunned, I wondered if I had heard wrong.
Hesitantly, I asked, "did you say 'konichi-wa'?"
"Yes," said the black column.
"Uh....why did you do that?"
"That's the way I say hello!", came the perky reply. Came the perky reply with a clear Hispanic accent. A Spanish-speaking clerk at Burger King who cheerfully greets the drive-through customers in Japanese. Only in LA -- you gotta love it. I almost ordered a large chocolate shake to celebrate, but called on my internal reserve of discipline and got the iced tea instead.
When I pulled up to the window, I got to see the young fellow who had taken my order. I asked him about his "konichi-wa", and he told me he was studying Japanese at a local Junior College.
"Well, good for you!" I congratulated him, and told him that going to school was my favorite thing to do in life. I hoped that he would keep it up, and he said that he would.
After that, it was home for a quick gongyo (evening prayers) before the shareholder's meeting. I prayed sincerely that I would not be nominated for a position (for the record, although I was asked, I declined, so my prayer was officially answered).
Present at the meeting were natives of six foreign countries (seven, if you count New York). Everybody had a chance to have their say, and although a bit chaotic, the meeting ended up going quite well. I was pleased with it.
That's one of the things I love about living here. We really are a melting pot.
I love LA.
Sayonara, Dasvidanya, Ciao, Auf Wiedersehen, Adios, Adieu, Bye for now,
Byrd in LA
P.S. Happy Valentine's Day
Posted by wahzoh at February 14, 2008 09:55 AMJust took a family vacation to the LA area. I have never seen so many Japanese restaurants. Almost every block has Sushi. I drove past City Wok and laughed so hard thinking about South Park.
LA is like a different universe or dimension.
Nancy
Posted by: Nancy at February 15, 2008 12:12 PMFarming for wow gold (world of warcraft gold) isn't easy, but you can buy cheap wow gold, wow power leveling on sale. Buy wow gold here, we sell cheap world of warcraft gold. Buy wow gold now,I think you will have your pleasure.We have revolutionized the exchange of money to wow gold with fast delivery.Purchase world of warcraft gold online and world of warcraft gold power up your character to the next level.Welcome to our website about world of warcraft gold,delivery in 24 hours,7/24 service.