When I was at the grocery store a few days ago, there was a bevy of Japanese tourists inside. I was at the express checkout counter and an older couple was in front of me. Their arms were laden with all kinds of toys - lots of Disney and Barbie - and they also had jumbo-sized chocolates like Reese's pieces. The gentleman was carrying a massive camera with a snazzy telephoto lens.

The young woman at the counter quickly rang them up. There was a large line forming behind me and some disgruntled folks. She was quick to notice and quick to get their supplies put away neatly in bags. The Japanese gentleman pulled out his credit card to pay but was very confused by the machine. He ran it through. The young woman nodded as it was accepted but the man shook his head and said something in Japanese and looked bewildered. He looked at me and I nodded and said, "You did it. It works." He still paused. The young woman smiled at him again encouragingly and handed him the receipt.

He stood there confused and then turned to me. I patted him on the shoulder reassuringly on his sweater and he kept repeating the same words. The people in line behind me were getting irritated. Since he was blocking the debit/credit machine, I could not ring up my transaction either.

I realized I needed to engage more so I stepped up a little closer as the young woman nodded at me approvingly. I said firmly, "Good job! It's done. You paid for it." The man's wife who had walked away while he was paying, turned around and came over and asked something too. I really wished I knew Japanese. The pair of them kept repeating something but I just said, "It's okay. You did great. You can go now," and gestured to the exit. The checkout girl nodded again approvingly and smiled at me. Everyone in the line behind us started to smile and one lady started laughing. Another man gave me a big smile and said, "Thank you." The Japanese couple slowly turned and started walking away to the exit, holding hands.

(While it's taking me a few minutes to write this, the whole interaction was just two minutes.)

I thought as they left, I really need to learn some Japanese! The Japanese I know is limited to just a few sushi names. :) When I got home,  I looked up how to say "It's done" in Japanese.

それは完了です  or Sore wa kanryōdesu (which sounds just like it looks).

So now, if this situation ever happens again, ha! I will know what to do. Or say rather. : D