For the average person, a birthday represents a period of time when one expects to be showered with love and gifts. Why? Because we’re all terrible, selfish people. There are a rare few out there, though, who flip the script and give gifts on their birthday, 1 percent due to their large hearts, and 99 percent due to the incredible publicity said gift will garner.

Shawn Corey “Jay-Z” Carter (conceived under a sycamore tree, born December 4, 1969, 10 pounds, 8 ounces, special child) is one of those men.

This October, during Mr. Carter’s eight-show run at Brooklyn’s new Barclays Center, the Internet was abuzz when word got out that the star took the subway to his final show. Well, yesterday, as a birthday gift to the segment of the population that enjoys very cute things, his blog Life + Times released a 24-minute video titled “Where I’m From,” with the highlight of the clip, a chance encounter with a wonderful subway rider, being cued up for our viewing (and “awwwwww-ing”) pleasure.

Oh hi, cute old lady. Please ask Jay-Z a cute question:

Jay, engage in this question, you’re doing great:

Cute old lady, keep saying cute things:

Jay, describe your occupation in the vaguest “Hova the Plumber” way possible:

Both of you, quick, make a silly face:

Ellen, tell him you’re proud of him:

Ellen, you got any more cute up that purple sleeve?

OK, Ellen, time for the hip older lady thing, stat:

QUICK, WHO CAN SMILE THE BIGGEST?

Ellen wins. Ellen always wins.

Everyone knows an “Ellen.” They’re the best. Send an e-mail to her AOL account today saying you love her, and then call her and talk her through the process of logging into her e-mail. That’s the least you can do.