Kindness, goodness…

Some have it, others don't, but this gift is a welcome one. I arrived a little too early to catch my bus, as is my slow traveler habit, but this time I'd gone too far, arriving 90 minutes before departure with a small convenience store.

as the only place to grab a bite and offering only pre-packaged sandwiches, but an espresso machine and very ordinary chairs and tables to enjoy it all.

The tenant is Malaysian, I'll learn later, invites me to sit down while she prepares my morning drink. But this invitation is delivered with a warm, almost maternal tone. Once I'm settled and full, she clears everything away, leaving the table free. I leave, saying I'll probably be back. You're welcome back.

When I reappear, with a smile and a wave of her hand she points to the table, saying, “Your place is waiting for you.”

This moment, which could have been ordinary, was anything but. It brought me great joy, when, far from my familiar surroundings, it felt good to feel the roots of home with someone who genuinely enjoys human contact and helping others. What struck me in Asia, even disconcerted me, was the kindness of the people, both men and women. They weren't trained in a crash course in customer service where you learn to memorize the essentials of the job; no, it's a generosity ingrained in the very core of their being. It feels good and it costs nothing; let's learn from it.