명동에서 카페를 운영하다 보면 정말 다양한 분들을 만나게 됩니다.
그리고 이번 주에는 특히 마음에 오래 남을 손님 한 분을 만났어요.
서울 여행 중이셨던 Jeff님은 일주일 동안 무려 6번이나 더버튼스에 들러주셨고, 항상 주방에서 바쁘게 일하던 저는 떠나시는 날이 되어서야 처음으로 제대로 인사를 나눌 수 있었어요.
그런데 그 날, 그동안 맛있는 브런치와 따뜻한 공간을 만들어줘서 고마웠다며 포틀랜드에서 직접 가져오신 핸드메이드 비누를 선물로 건네주셨어요. 지금 포틀랜드 근교에 사신다면서 저희가 디피해놓은 제 최애 Portland 카드를 가리키시더라고요.
참고로 저는 포틀랜드 위에 있는 시애틀에서 고등학교를 다녔어요.
포틀랜드엔 2017년쯤 다녀왔는데 작고 아기자기하지만 개성 넘치는 힙스터 타운같아 정말 좋아하는 도시 중의 하나예요. 포틀랜드에서 오셨다거나 나도 포틀랜드 좋아해 라고 말씀주시는 외국인 고객님들이 간혹 계시는데 그럴 때마다 너무 반갑거든요.
사실 저희는 음식을 만들고, 커피를 내리고, 공간을 준비하는 것이 일상이라 늘 "저희가 손님께 무언가를 드린다"고 생각하며 일합니다. 그런데 이렇게 예상치 못한 따뜻함을 선물받을 때면 가끔은 오히려 저희가 더 많은 것을 받고 있다는 생각이 들어요.
포틀랜드 이야기, 반려하고 계시는 골든두들 이야기를 나누고, 단추를 예뻐해 주시던 모습까지 - 진심으로 맛있고 즐겁게 식사하셨다는 것을 직접 알려주셔서 너무나도 감사합니다. 피크 시간대 정말 짧은 만남이었지만 저는 오래 기억에 남을 것 같습니다. 카페를 하며 힘든 날도 많지만, 이런 인연들 덕분에 다시 힘을 내게 됩니다.
Jeff, thank you for your kindness. We hope you had a safe trip home, and if you ever find yourself missing Seoul, Danchu, or a slice of carrot cake, you'll always have friends waiting for you at The Buttons. 🤍🐶
"Sometimes the most unexpected gifts are not the gifts themselves, but the people behind them."
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From Portland to Seoul, with Kindness 🤍
Running a cafe in Myeongdong means meeting people from all over the world, each with their own story. This week, I met someone whose kindness I know I’ll remember for a long time.
Jeff was visiting Seoul and stopped by The Buttons six times during his one-week trip.
Like many cafe owners, I spend most of my day busy in the kitchen, so it wasn’t until his last visit that I finally had a chance to properly introduce myself and have a conversation with him.
That day, Jeff surprised me with a thoughtful gift - a handmade soap he had brought all the way from Portland. He thanked us for the meals, coffee, and welcoming space we had provided during his stay in Seoul. As we chatted, he mentioned that he lives just outside Portland and pointed to one of my favorite postcards displayed in the cafe, featuring the city itself.
Portland has always held a special place in my heart. I attended high school in nearby Seattle, and I visited Portland back in 2017. I instantly fell in love with its creative energy, independent spirit, and charming neighborhoods. It felt like a small city full of character - the kind of place where every corner seems to tell a story. Every now and then, travelers from Portland visit our cafe, or someone tells me they love Portland too. Whenever that happens, it feels like meeting an old friend.
As cafe owners, we spend our days preparing food, making coffee, and creating a space where people can relax and enjoy themselves. Because of that, I often think of our role as one of giving - serving meals, offering hospitality, and sharing a small part of ourselves with our guests.
But every once in a while, someone reminds me that the exchange goes both ways.
Sometimes, it’s the unexpected conversations, the shared stories, or simple acts of kindness that stay with you long after the day is over. Moments like these make me realize that we often receive just as much as we give.
We talked about Portland, his Goldendoodle back home, and of course Danchu, our little Pomeranian who is beloved by many of our guests. Seeing how genuinely he enjoyed his time here and took the time to tell us so meant more than he probably realized. It was only a brief conversation during a busy service, but it is one I will remember for a very long time.
Running a cafe can be exhausting. There are difficult days, long hours, and countless challenges behind the scenes. Yet encounters like this remind me why I love what I do and give me the energy to keep going.
Jeff, thank you for your kindness.
We hope you had a safe trip home, and if you ever find yourself missing Seoul, Danchu, or a slice of carrot cake, you'll always have friends waiting for you at The Buttons.
🤍🐶
"Sometimes the most unexpected gifts are not the gifts themselves, but the people behind them."