Style Compliment

August 27, 2025 • Louie Mantia

For the first time since I moved to Japan two years ago, a couple of Japanese people initiated conversation with me. I was listening to music in my headphones and working on an app icon at a Skytree café, when a couple stopped to chat while they were walking by.

cute older couple
Sorry for interrupting. We love your shirt!!
me
おっ!ありがとう!It’s made from tenugui.
cute older couple
Really!
me
Yeah!

This is such a normal thing to happen back in the States. But I think it really is the first time someone’s said anything to me before I spoke with them.

Thank you, cute older couple.