One of my most delightful retail store deals in Beverly Hills was with a Japanese lady. She wanted a small store where she could introduce Japanese Art by new artists. This would include stationary and other sundry items.
Since her English was not all that fluent, she had hired an attorney who could translate for her, those pesky real estate terms that could not be explained with hand language. He was also there to help her negotiate the lease, as well as to help her understand the terms.
When she had her grand opening, Ron and I came and gave her a phaleonopsis, and she gave me this lovely papier mâché cat (pictured above) that I had admired in the photos she had given me for the building owner to review along with the offer. She explained to us that cats in Japan are a symbol of good luck and money.
The raised paw is calling customers to the business. Japanese legend tells of a wealthy man standing by a building, when he spotted a cat with a raised paw. He interpreted the cat saying "come here!". He did, and seconds later lightning struck at the spot where he was standing, so the story goes...
And here is how to say thank you with a bow in Japanese, a very handy word I learned from my manicurist!
ありがとうございました Arigatōgozaimashita
This is my second entry in Lisa Van Domek's contest Love Is In The Air.
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