When it was my turn, I greeted the cashier with a smile, ordered and paid for my latte over a little chitchat, and was about to turn away to the "wait for your caffeine here" area of the store when the young man behind the counter stopped me."Can I just say 'Thank you?''" he asked quietly.
"Well sure... though I don't know what for."
"You're the first person in about 15 people who's smiled at me this morning, and I just wanted to thank you for being kind."
I smiled at him again just for good measure. "Aw honey, you're just on the wrong end of the coffee. But you're welcome... and I hope your day gets a little brighter."
I thought about that as I picked up my coffee and left the store. A little graciousness to touch a frustrated heart cost me very little. A smile, a kind word. That's about it... and yet went so far.
A little grace goes a long way.
It has to be difficult dealing with the public when everyone has a grumpy or nonreactive expression. Smiling is such an easy thing to do and people respond better to those who smile and are gracious. Glad you brightened the cashier's morning, and hope he got a few more smiles during the day. (:
ReplyDeleteA-Z participant blogging from Elise Fallson
What a great reminder! A simple smile can brighten someone's day!! So true a little kindness goes a long way!
ReplyDelete:)
DeleteOh yes! This past weekend we were challenged byt someone who brought us our food, but trying to remember they may have had a really ahrd day helps. But I think it's so important to be kind to everyone, esepcially those who may end up on the wrong side of the coffee most days. LOVE that phrase!
ReplyDelete"challenged by someone" ROFL!
DeleteOuch! I always try to think about how I appear to others. At times it makes me cringe because I have felt completely justified over my inconvenience or bad day. 90% of the time, though, the receiver had nothing to do with it. Thanks for the reminder to be a little (lot) more gracious!
ReplyDeleteAlways my pleasure... We probably all have had times where we've done that, though. It's easy to get wrapped up, I think.
DeleteNice post - sometimes it is the most simple things that make a difference in someones day...
ReplyDeleteThanks for your post,
Margot at A Devotional Mosaic and Spark My Creativity
Thank you!
DeleteVery nice. thanks for the reminder.
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L
Hey, can you tell me how to turn off my anonymous? I'm having lots of trouble with spam...
ReplyDeleteMy blog is called Unloading my brain to fill it again. my address is unlessiwriteitdown.blogspot.com
L
If you go into your settings and click Posts and Comments, there should be a section where you can change who is allowed to comment. A little late, but hope that might help!
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