I'd been joking with the kids on the way. The last little gas blip had been blipping for many a kilometer. I'd pushed it lower so knew we'd make it, we could've made it to the big self service station another few kilometers away on Nekkan Road even, but I like going to the tiny corner full service mom and pop gas stand now and then. I know I'm paying more for gas but the good feeling that comes with giving business to local folks is worth it. And man talk about service!
Two guys are at the car by the time I got it shut off. One hurries over to the driver's side window. "Sen en bun kudasai" I say, "give me 1,000 yen's worth please" "Hai" he responds while darting off towards the pump. The other guy's already started in on cleaning the windshield. I'd think a mere thousand yen worth of gas--not quite 7 liters--would merit the fuss and hustle but this of course is getting gas in Japan, the service country par excellence, so I just sit back and enjoy it. "Look at those guys go" I say to my two youngest kids in the backseat. The kids watch as the squeegee wets the window then removes it on a lightning quick second pass and in comes the rag to catch the streaks. I've been there enough times for them to know me, thus they no longer ask if I'd like them to empty my ash tray. If by chance I have a candy wrapper or empty coke can or the like all I've gotta do is hand it to them. Same goes if I need a clean most rag to clean the dash.
Six point something liters of gas pumps quick so this time it's just windows. The two guys have them all clean as new in Indy 500 pit stop speed and the guys' back at the driver's side window before I know it. I hand him a thousand yen note and bow as low as possible without hitting my head on the steering wheel. I want to show my appreciation as much as possible for the excellent service. The guy at the pump bows deeply with an "Arigato Gozaimasu" formal thank you as we pull away from the pump. The other is already out at the road gesture questioning at me to find out which way I'm headed. I point north, he looks south down the road and holds his hand out for me to stop. His stop gesture moves into a forward motioning one after a car comes around the corner and passes. His southward pointing finger moves in broad sweep till it's pointing in the direction we're headed. "All clear". It's Yubisashi Kosho 指差呼称 Point and call out you'd say in English I think. It's a Japanese awareness method for avoiding mistakes. Train conductors make it look like an art form. After so many years here I try to do it myself nowadays. It felt goofy at first but I've come to like it. It's amazing how such a small practice can bring you more in tune with the present moment and surroundings.
"Arigato gozaimashita" I shout as I pull away. Arigatou Gozaimashita" he echos back with a deep bow. I love watching them in the rear view mirror as I pull away. As always he remains standing there till he appears the size of an ant way back in the distance. Three blips of gas now I know we'll make it to the 100 yen shop and back no problem. And man just look at those windows!
Getting gas in Japan. Until someone creates a time machine to go back to USA circa 1971 I think it's the closest I'll come to what getting gas was like back home when I was a kid.
Two guys are at the car by the time I got it shut off. One hurries over to the driver's side window. "Sen en bun kudasai" I say, "give me 1,000 yen's worth please" "Hai" he responds while darting off towards the pump. The other guy's already started in on cleaning the windshield. I'd think a mere thousand yen worth of gas--not quite 7 liters--would merit the fuss and hustle but this of course is getting gas in Japan, the service country par excellence, so I just sit back and enjoy it. "Look at those guys go" I say to my two youngest kids in the backseat. The kids watch as the squeegee wets the window then removes it on a lightning quick second pass and in comes the rag to catch the streaks. I've been there enough times for them to know me, thus they no longer ask if I'd like them to empty my ash tray. If by chance I have a candy wrapper or empty coke can or the like all I've gotta do is hand it to them. Same goes if I need a clean most rag to clean the dash.
Six point something liters of gas pumps quick so this time it's just windows. The two guys have them all clean as new in Indy 500 pit stop speed and the guys' back at the driver's side window before I know it. I hand him a thousand yen note and bow as low as possible without hitting my head on the steering wheel. I want to show my appreciation as much as possible for the excellent service. The guy at the pump bows deeply with an "Arigato Gozaimasu" formal thank you as we pull away from the pump. The other is already out at the road gesture questioning at me to find out which way I'm headed. I point north, he looks south down the road and holds his hand out for me to stop. His stop gesture moves into a forward motioning one after a car comes around the corner and passes. His southward pointing finger moves in broad sweep till it's pointing in the direction we're headed. "All clear". It's Yubisashi Kosho 指差呼称 Point and call out you'd say in English I think. It's a Japanese awareness method for avoiding mistakes. Train conductors make it look like an art form. After so many years here I try to do it myself nowadays. It felt goofy at first but I've come to like it. It's amazing how such a small practice can bring you more in tune with the present moment and surroundings.
"Arigato gozaimashita" I shout as I pull away. Arigatou Gozaimashita" he echos back with a deep bow. I love watching them in the rear view mirror as I pull away. As always he remains standing there till he appears the size of an ant way back in the distance. Three blips of gas now I know we'll make it to the 100 yen shop and back no problem. And man just look at those windows!
Getting gas in Japan. Until someone creates a time machine to go back to USA circa 1971 I think it's the closest I'll come to what getting gas was like back home when I was a kid.
2 comments:
Its funny how difficult it is to sell Americans on the value of service. Oh a goodly portion of them will serve our country with arms (for which I am very thankful), but service outside of that narrow context is beyond their ken. Even down here in liberal L.A. if you talk to someone about jury duty all you get are frowns and people asking how to get out of it. Even evangelicals, the ones with a clear mandate from Jesus on the value of serving others, have a difficult time with this. Why, I don't know, but its there. I'm going to guess most Americans when reading this will feel pity for those men at the station, thinking they are stuck having to help you.
No one says the obvious, that giving to others is a joy unto itself. That taking care of others, of showing them respect, even to perfect strangers, is itself the best kind of gift. That taking pride in a job well done, even a service job, lifts the heart and the soul of the giver.
As always, Casey, well said.
I never really thought of it like that but "giving unto others is a joy unto itself" really is "the obvious" though ain't it!
Not to mention receiving such giving makes you want to go back for more.
Thanks as always for the read and comment :)
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