‘One call gave me Japanese mom and dad’: Indian national shares heartwarming cross-cultural story

Sometimes, the most unexpected connections come from the smallest gestures. For Raj Dabre, an Indian national, a routine flight home in 2019 turned into a life-changing experience that introduced him to a Japanese family he now calls his own.

Writing on X, Dabre recalled his unusual journey, which started through a small interaction . “Story time! I have a Japanese mom and dad!” he began, sharing how a single conversation on a plane became a lasting cross-cultural bond.

The story began when Dabre, recovering from a severe bout of influenza, boarded a flight back to India. His inner ear was affected by a cough, leaving him dizzy every time he moved. Despite feeling unwell, he made it to the airport, carefully navigating the journey, and settled into his seat. Next to him was a Japanese couple in their 70s, travelling to Thailand for a vacation. Dabre was wearing a mask, but he immediately became aware of what the old couple was struggling with.

“The Japanese guy was struggling with his entertainment system because he wanted Japanese subtitles and asked the cabin attendant for help,” Dabre explained.

The man barely spoke English, and the cabin crew was having difficulty understanding him. Dabre was fluent in Japanese and stepped in. “I told the cabin attendant that I'd fix his problem. I asked him what he wanted in Japanese and 10 seconds later, he was happy.”

What followed was unexpected. The couple became curious about Dabre’s language skills and struck up a conversation that lasted almost the entire flight. “The craziest thing is that his home was only a 20-minute bike ride from mine. Talk about coincidence,” Dabre said. When they landed, the man gave him his business card and asked him to call. Commuting between both homes was no big issue.

“I almost didn't call him, but my dad insisted that I at least humour him. That one call gave me a Japanese dad and mom,” Dabre said. His dad insisted that he call the elderly Japanese couple. The relationship quickly deepened. He visited their home many times, stayed with them, and, by their insistence, began calling them mom and dad like his own.

The bond was even made through the Covid-19 pandemic, when Dabre credited the couple with helping him maintain a sense of normalcy and connection even in turbulent times. Later, his own parents visited Japan and met the Japanese couple, creating a memorable meeting between families. In 2023, the Japanese man even travelled to India and stood as a witness at Dabre’s wedding in a church ceremony. Dabre even posted pictures of him with the couple on his social media post.

Reflecting on the experience, Dabre said life is full of uncertainties: “Destiny is strange. You don't know who you will meet and become close with. Just say hi!”

His story is a reminder that small acts of kindness, like helping a stranger with a language barrier, can grow into lifelong friendships and even family bonds.

Dabre's story came in reaction to a viral social media video in which an American man, who spoke English fluently, surprised an elderly Japanese man and put a smile on his face. This led Dabre to share his own wholesome story.