After getting married, along with my husband, we flew to Tokyo for our honeymoon. We spent four days in that unbelievable city, but with a lot of communication difficulties, because the Japanese hardly speak in English. On our first morning, we had breakfast at a Starbucks near to our hotel. I was looking for something familiar in a far away from home city. It was fantastic to feel a little bit at home, with known beverages and the same Christmas decoration. We ordered our beverages and food, and we sit in a table looking at the foodcase. I couldn’t resist myself and I took my camera, but, immediately, I saw the sign that forbids taking pictures. So I got closer to a Barista and showed her my business card saying: “I’m Marcela, Partner from Argentina”. Her eyes opened widely as she couldn’t believe my words. I showed her my camera, and she let me take pictures. While I was there I felt how much she wanted to talk to me, and I also wanted to… but because of our language barrier, it was impossible. I went back to my seat to finish my breakfast when I saw her approaching to me. She gave me the card “Welcoming” and tried to explain me its meaning. I said “I Know”, showing her my understanding of the cards meaning. I was moved by the situation, because she found the way, with the Starbucks green apron behaviors, of telling me how happy she was to having me at her store. I think I said “Arigato” for twenty times… the truth is that I wanted to hug her, but because their cultural behaves (they avoid the body contact), I couldn’t. My husband saw the situation and asked me: “What did she give you? A free beverage?” and I said “She gave me something better than that”. Attached you will find my picture with the partner (sorry for my face, I had jet lag). Unfortunately, I cannot find the card, but I can tell you that the store was near the Prince Park Tower Tokyo Hotel. I think that the store’s name is Shiba-Daimon. It would be wonderful if she receives this letter and realizes how special her gift was for me. Marcela Bonomo Partner – Starbucks Coffee Argentina