Random compliment

Conversation with a Caucasian guy in shorts and t-shirt I met briefly in the elevator :

Stranger: Are you from Malaysia?
Me: (startled) Yes, I am from Malaysia. Where are you from?
Stranger: I’m from California. I’ve been to Malaysia recently. I can tell that you are one from your nice headscarf.
Me: Yes, there are a lot of Malaysian women wearing headscarves.
Stranger: They are really pretty. I really like ‘em. I even bought some for my wife
Tink! (the door opened at ground floor)
Stranger: (as he moved out of the elevator) Well, see you around. Have a nice day.
Me: You too, have a nice day.

It is nice to get a random compliment. And nicer when you know that the compliment comes with no alter intentions. Even though it was just my scarf that got complimented on, it managed to get me smiling for some time as I paced the 10-minutes walk to the eki.

Of course, I didn’t confess that the particular scarf was actually bought in Salzburg, Austria, one hot summer, exactly 10 years ago...