Spring is the season of asparagus. Together with mellow white wine of Alsace, asparagus is garnished with ham and mayonnaise sauce. Simple as it it, the dish always made me happy and enchanted. One day I went to a restaurant in Alsace with my Swiss wife and her parents. When the dish was served, the mother complained, "Oh, I'm lacking in one slice of ham!" She was counting the slices, comparing her dish with mine. I got mad and said, "Don't talk nonsense! I can't enjoy my meal, when you are so petty!"
The father and my wife were just upset, but sided with me. "He's right. Don't fuss over small details!" They tried to patch things up for the moment. On this occasion, I saw a typical Swiss attitude--they believe only what they see and what they can count. (Itsuki Koya)