As I look back to my earlier years, one experience stands out. It was an educational experience that gave me a taste of something new, which left me wanting more. It happened when my grandmother took me out to a fancy Japanese restaurant called Hakata. It was an educational experience I will never forget and it has shaped my choices and decisions for my future.
I just turned 15 years old, and I was staying for the week at my grandmother's house and she decided to take me out to dinner. I had never eaten out at a before at a restaurant let alone a five star restaurant. She thought it would be an excellent experience for me to get out and experience "the finer things in life", as she put it. She told me if I ever wanted to take someone out on a date or/and travel the world one day, it was essential for me to know how to act and behave in a formal setting.
After my Grandmother had told me about all this, I became very nervous and excited, both at the same time. I didn't know what to wear, how to act, or even how to speak, for that matter. However, I knew that my Grandmother would not embarrass me. She told me to not be afraid of new things, otherwise if you are too afraid, you will miss out on so many things. So, the day before we went, she taught me all the basics things that I would need to know, from how to tip after a meal, to how to dress for certain occasions, even where to ask to be seated (next to the window).
When we got there the next evening, I followed all the steps that my Grandmother had told me. When I stepped inside the restaurant, everyone in restaurant looked at us (mostly me) and just stared. I tried not to notice and just take in the sights and smells. The inside of the restaurant was decorated with the colors black, white with touches of grey and red. I felt like I was in Japan with everyone there speaking and ordering in Japanese. There was an area where you could even watch the chefs cook the meals. Maybe that was why everyone was looking at us. We said and did everything in English that evening. When we got to our tables (with the view), the manager took our order that night, because she was an old friend of my Grandmother.
For an appetizer, my grandmother and I ordered the coconut shrimp tempura with a side teriyaki sauce. She told me to eat at the same pace as her because it is good manners. She chews her food very slowly so as to enjoy the flavors. Then for the main course, I had fish cooked in teriyaki with sticky rice, and a side dish of Japanese salad. I had never tasted anything so delicious. I did take my time and chewed my food very slowly. I appreciated how they presented the food on the plate and also how polite they were. Dessert was Asian ice cream. It was so creamy and light. They finished it off with tea. I was so content. It took me a little time to relax. I didn’t want to make any mistakes and look foolish.
When we left the restaurant, my Grandmother told me that I did well. She said, “Omar, I am proud of you.” I was so happy. It was just one experience, yet I learned so much. I learned how to take care of the person you take out, how to calculate the tip, how to eat and where to request where to sit. However, the most important thing that I learned was that I knew so little and wanted to learn more. I wanted to eat at many more restaurants, to travel, to explore. My Grandmother exposed me to a new experience. She said, “If you study hard and get a good education, then you can find a job that will let you travel, try different restaurants, meet new people and many more new experiences.” She opened my eyes to all the new experiences and possibilities out in the world that I could experience and to not be afraid. It was a valuable lesson.
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