Care for some lettuce?

It was exactly like the topping call at Ramen Jiro — the cult ramen chain where, at the counter, you’re asked how much extra you want piled on, and answering “mashi” gets you more.

There’s a French place in my neighborhood I’m fond of. The chef runs it alone. While you eat lunch, neighbors wander in to pick up deli items or a coffee to go — that kind of place, rooted in the neighborhood. Today I stopped by to buy cake for after dinner.

My head was fully in cake-buying mode, which is why the ambush landed so cleanly.

“We posted it on Instagram — we’re giving these away right now.”

Apparently he’d over-ordered lettuce and was handing it out. My thoughts started spinning: would it be embarrassing if he thought I came for the lettuce? Is it rude to accept when I’m only buying takeout? But I did want fresh vegetables. Should I buy some deli items too, to be polite?

While all that was cycling, the chef, with an excellent smile:

“Why not take two?”

I got mashi’d.