Friendly to Senior
Care · Conversation
お裁縫やお花など、昔お得意なことはありましたか？ — Were you skilled at sewing or flower arranging back in the day? (Care · Conversation, Friendly to Senior, JLPT N4)
You
お裁縫やお花など、昔お得意なことはありましたか？
おさいほうやおはななど、むかしおとくいなことはありましたか？
Were you skilled at sewing or flower arranging back in the day?
Romaji: Osaihou ya ohana nado, mukashi otokui na koto wa arimashita ka? / Reply Romaji: Saihou wa tokui deshita yo. Kimono no nuimono mo shite imashita.
Reply
裁縫は得意でしたよ。着物の縫い物もしていました。
さいほうはとくいでしたよ。きもののぬいものもしていました。
I was good at sewing. I used to do needlework on kimonos too.
Gesture & etiquette
Sit at the same level. Make the expression of genuine admiration natural — 'Sugoi desu ne' (That's impressive) said with wide eyes and a nod. Ask follow-up questions about the craft itself, not just the person.
Asking about past skills and crafts re-activates a person's sense of identity as a capable, skilled individual. Follow up by asking to see the work ('Do you still have anything you made?') or asking to learn from them — being the teacher is a powerful role for a senior.