What I missed the most when we were living in Maine is how Asian the San Francisco Bay Area is. I missed the restaurants and I missed the people – people I know and love, and also the people I don’t know and instantly like.
Today I went to an Asian mall with my little one. I wanted to get a haircut, but since I had a four-year-old in tow, I of course had to first get her something to keep her occupied while I got my hair cut. So into a candy/toy shop we went. She picked out a candy necklace. We looked around, and I asked her if there was something else she wanted, a toy perhaps. The lady tending the store immediately whipped out a flat of Hello Kitty charms on leather bracelets, and proceeded to put it on my child. The moment was sweet, and my wee one seemed amused by the attention.
“See? You like?” the shopkeeper asked softly. My little one nodded shyly.
“It’s lovely,” I approved.
The shopkeeper took out her tools, and sized the leather bracelet down to my little girl’s wrist. All this, assuming I was going to buy the bracelet, which of course, I did. It reminded me of my dad. He never takes no for an answer because he never asks. If you don’t want what he’s giving you, you had better say something quick, or it will be packed in your car before you drive off.
With candy necklace and Hello Kitty charm bracelet on, my wee one and I headed to the salon. I was planning on looking through their stack of magazines while we waited, to show the hairdresser what I wanted done to my hair. I didn’t have the time. A woman waved me on to her chair as soon as we walked in. Without a word spoken to me, she got me ready for my cut.
“I want layers,” I volunteered quickly. I was afraid if I didn’t speak up she would just make the decision for me.
“Uh-huh,” she replied curtly, like she knew all along what I wanted. A psychic hairdresser. “Same length, right?” she verified.
“Yes,” I was impressed. She did know exactly what I wanted.
Cantonese flew around the salon as she worked and I relaxed. My wee one was immersed in her candy necklace and once in a while asked my hairdresser what language she spoke and what she was saying.
It was a perfect mid-afternoon. I had a great haircut, and my wee one was happy. Of course after that I had to deal with a bouncing ninja warrior high on sugar, but even that had a charm of its own. A Hello Kitty charm.
Related Post:
Hentai Hair
I like to read stories like these…wife and I intend on having our first child this year. We’re a little scared, but little stories like these remind me of why we want to have a little one someday!
Keep’em coming!
This story is very touching. It not only captures the warmth and caring nature of Asians in general but also how straightforward and perceptive they can be (not in all situations of course — I do have a wife
). I’m lucky that I live near Toronto so I can visit many similar malls.
This a cute and touching story. Reminds me of when I used to live in The City and my nephews would come to visit. We would usually end up in Japan Town, cause we are Happas and because we love Japanese food but my nephews enjoyed and seemed to get a kick out of all the Japanese toy stores with their small but very intricate toys. The shop owners were always super friendly and would entertain my rowdy nephews behavior, maybe cause they knew we were gonna buy something, but they always seemed to know exactly what kind of toy or figure they would like. Its like they had ESP or they read my nephews minds or… they actually hypno-convinced my nephews into wanting the toys they had selected. ? Either way, they had a knack for picking ones they would like. I really miss The City! Another place we would frequent was the pet shop or “Fish Store” on Clement&6th in the Richmond District. I dont recall the name but its on Clement on the left if your facing towards the ocean. It has all sorts of rare and tropical fish, even blue ringed sting rays and Nautilus’. Its an amazing shop. I highly recommend you visit with your little one, she will surely enjoy all the sea life. She can pretend she’s a mermaid in this exotic tropical sea in the heart of the Richmond. My nephews and I would pretend we were sharks eating up all the people that walked into the store, or that we were shipwrecked at the bottom of the ocean. It was truly fun!
Awww…that’s a very cute story.
@manchurian candidate My unsolicited advice for the day is don’t hurry into parenthood. Enjoy each other as long as you can. I love being a parent, but it’s almost synonymous with being completely selfless.
@tian foh “(not in all situations of course — I do have a wife
”
What does this mean? Just curious. ;D
@Makiul That’s exactly what I was writing about… this ESP/hypnotic/Jedi mind trick “These are the droids you are looking for.” Maybe it’s that they’ve got the stuff hidden away, and they whip it out when it’s obvious the customer doesn’t really know what to get. And because it’s hidden away it makes it seem so mysterious and special, like a secret only we are getting to share, makes us want it. Hmm… it is a mind trick, isn’t it?
Thanks for the recommendation. I’ll check the fish store out.
@ cdk Thanks, sweetie!
I was just joking that my wife (who is Chinese) isn’t always perceptive of my needs and can sometimes be very obtuse. I don’t know if you and Jay have this problem but my wife can say everything about an issue except what she’s actually thinking and assume that I’ll pick up on what she just didn’t say. Gahhh!
@tian foh I see. I do admit being an airhead once in a while. Mind so far away, on the 7th dimension, perhaps. Anywhere but where I am at present. I’d venture to say this happens monthly. I could blame the moon’s gravitational pull, or I could just say, we’re doing that on purpose to keep men guessing. The truth is I really don’t know why I get this way. I just am.
I’m afraid to say most women are like that when the moon’s pull is too strong.
I think that’s why we men find them so exasperating and lovable at the same time.