A routine international flight turned into a life-changing experience for Raj Dabre, a senior research scientist at Google, leading to a bond that crossed borders, cultures, and generations. What began as a brief act of help mid-air eventually grew into a family-like relationship that he now fondly describes as gaining a “Japanese mom and dad.”
The story dates back to 2019, when Dabre was flying back to India while recovering from a severe bout of influenza. According to his post shared on X (formerly Twitter), his illness had affected his inner ear, causing vertigo whenever he moved. Despite his condition, he could not cancel the journey and boarded the flight wearing a mask, hoping to get through the trip quietly.
Seated next to him was an elderly Japanese couple in their seventies, travelling to Thailand for a holiday. During the flight, the man struggled to operate the in-flight entertainment system as he wanted Japanese subtitles. Language became a barrier, as he spoke very little English and the cabin crew found it difficult to understand his request.
The Japanese passenger was curious about Dabre’s fluency in the language, and the two began talking for much of the flight. As the conversation unfolded, they discovered a remarkable coincidence: their homes in Japan were located just a short bicycle ride apart. By the time the flight ended, a connection had clearly formed, and the elderly man shared his business card, inviting Dabre to stay in touch.
Over time, Dabre visited the couple’s home multiple times and even stayed with them. The bond deepened to the point where they asked him to address them as his parents. During the COVID-19 pandemic, they remained a strong emotional support for him, helping him cope during an isolating period.
The relationship extended beyond just Dabre. His parents later travelled to Japan and met the couple, turning the connection into a shared family experience. In another meaningful moment, the Japanese “father” travelled to India in 2023 and stood as a witness at Dabre’s church wedding, a role traditionally reserved for close family.
The story dates back to 2019, when Dabre was flying back to India while recovering from a severe bout of influenza. According to his post shared on X (formerly Twitter), his illness had affected his inner ear, causing vertigo whenever he moved. Despite his condition, he could not cancel the journey and boarded the flight wearing a mask, hoping to get through the trip quietly.
Seated next to him was an elderly Japanese couple in their seventies, travelling to Thailand for a holiday. During the flight, the man struggled to operate the in-flight entertainment system as he wanted Japanese subtitles. Language became a barrier, as he spoke very little English and the cabin crew found it difficult to understand his request.
A simple act of help sparks a connection
Seeing the situation, Dabre stepped in to assist. He spoke to the passenger in Japanese, quickly understood what was needed, and resolved the issue within moments. What he assumed would be a brief interaction soon turned into a long conversation.The Japanese passenger was curious about Dabre’s fluency in the language, and the two began talking for much of the flight. As the conversation unfolded, they discovered a remarkable coincidence: their homes in Japan were located just a short bicycle ride apart. By the time the flight ended, a connection had clearly formed, and the elderly man shared his business card, inviting Dabre to stay in touch.
From a phone call to a family bond
Dabre later shared that he nearly chose not to follow up after the flight. However, encouraged by his father, he decided to make the call. That single decision, he wrote on X, marked the beginning of a relationship that soon felt like family.Over time, Dabre visited the couple’s home multiple times and even stayed with them. The bond deepened to the point where they asked him to address them as his parents. During the COVID-19 pandemic, they remained a strong emotional support for him, helping him cope during an isolating period.
The relationship extended beyond just Dabre. His parents later travelled to Japan and met the couple, turning the connection into a shared family experience. In another meaningful moment, the Japanese “father” travelled to India in 2023 and stood as a witness at Dabre’s church wedding, a role traditionally reserved for close family.
