After work on Friday night I went to the local cell phone store (Softbank) with full intentions of leaving with a brand new phone. When I left for work in the early hours of the morning the sun was shining brigtly and I had no reason to bring an umbrella with me when I left my appartment. But unfortunately I've had to learn the hard way of spontaneous weather changes in Japan. I've owned up to 5 umbrellas at a time since there have been random downpours forcing me to either get soaked or spend a few hundred yen on a new umbrella.
As I was attempting to sort things out at Softbank with broken Japanese and listening to the sales person speak to me in Japanese and broken English, we concluded that a new cell phone for me wouldn't be the best idea since I would have to re-sign a 2-year contract. Even though there's a slight chance I'll still be here in two years I decided it wasn't a sure thing. As I tried explaining this to the sales woman she kindly smiled and thanked me for coming by anyways. When I turned around to leave I noticed it was raining heavily. This was worse than usual since I was coming from work and still in my business suits.
Another associate behind the counter said something in Japanese to me and I kinda just stared blankly at him. The English speaking one then asked if I had an umbrella, and I sadly replied that I didn't. Upon hearing this the Japanese guy said "Chotto matte kudasai.." (please wait a minute) and he ran off to the back, returning with an umbrella. He made his away around the counter and handed it over to me and smiled. I was shocked and tried to give it back, but they both insisted I take it. Had I not, I definitely would have been entirely drenched. It's amazing how things work over here.
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