This happened many years ago at my workplace.   One afternoon, I was alone in the workshop office.  All the guys were out, including my immediate superior, the Service Manager (ship equipment repair).  Suddenly, the Superintendent from one European vessel came to take a look at his equipment and expected some detailed explanation of the condition of the equipment, he did not called up earlier that he will be coming.  I told him that my boss was not in but I will try to contact him.  He then walked around at the workshop area while I tried to contact my boss, my boss said he will be back in about 15 minutes later.

I guessed there were some mosquitoes around the workshop as I could see him scratching his left hand.  He then got impatient and stepped into the office (air-conditioned) to rest.  Seeing him so pathetic, and being an Angel all the while, I offered him a cup of coffee.  I actually thought of asking him whether he prefer it black or white, but second thought, don’t bother (most guys there not so particular, and I was thinking I need not be so kind to him otherwise he may request other kind of beverage which I don’t have it, anyway it was beyond my work scope and yet I so nice to offer him when I was not asked to do it, don’t expect much from me, that was what I thought, i was young then).  I then served him black coffee (Nescafe), he thanked me and drank a few sip.  I continued with my work but secretly looked to his direction, saw him scratching his left hand again.

Suddenly, he opened his golden mouth “do you have cream?”  Cream?  Oh yes, why I never thought of offering him something to soothe the itch of his left hand.  I then opened my drawer and took out my precious Mopiko (effective for mosquitoes bite, a good brand from Japan) (see picture above)

“here it is”. I gave it to him, smiling, expected him to give me a big thank you.  Who knows, he opened his mouth again “what’s this?”  I answered “Mopiko”.  He exclaimed “Mopiko?  What’s this?”… then paused for a while he continued “Do you have Coffeemate?” (as per picture below)

I was shocked, oh, he actually wanted “creamer”, he should not said “cream” and should not keep stratching his left hand, and mislead others …. should not asked me for the creamer after 2 minutes later when the coffee was served and should not asked after so many sips of the black coffee, who will understand what he actually wanted…said earlier will save all the problem (but there will be no more joke)…

I then said “oh, coffeemate, yes, yes… ” and I quickly grabbed the coffeemate from the pantry and gave it to him.. speechless… but luckily he had no change of expression on his face, and I guessed he don’t know Mopikio is for mosquitoes bite, he may think it’s another brand of creamer, who knows… ha ha ha.

Finally he had his coffee with coffeemate, and seemed happy while enjoying the aircond, smiled and had a bit of casual talk with me.  Thanks God, finally my boss returned, and the friendly Superintendent finally finished his drink (wonder why a cup of coffee can last so long),  and I washed the cup.. etc etc… nothing happened…perfect… continued with the busy work…no expression on my face anyway…

After he went off, I did not mentioned to my boss about it, only mentioned after few days later, I remember my boss said “aiyo, so embarrassing”.. I laughed and said “his fault…”….

ha ha ha…

Don’t you think it is weird?