Wednesday, January 9, 2013

Be Nice

I was at Taco Bell the other day (I'm bad at planning ahead for lunch). Since it was after the noon rush, the restaurant was almost empty.

Two men were at the counter ahead of me.

As I entered, the young woman at the counter was just handing a man his order and said, "We didn't have [this certain kind of bread] so I gave you [this similar type of bread], I hope that's okay."

The man looked at her, took the sack and walked out.

Hmmmmm.

The second man walked up to her and she said, "Hi, how are you today?"

This man said, "I want [one of those and one of those]." I don't remember what he ordered.

No "Hello."

No "I'm fine, how are you?"

Just "I want."

I didn't see him get his order, but I doubt if he had time for a "Thank you."

So I, the third customer (in my imaginary role as Helper of Women in Distress) walked up and said, "Hi [calling her by name from her Taco Bell name tag] How are you today? Could I please have a......"

I made sure to thank her with a smile when I got my food.

I wonder, sometimes, how store clerks and restaurant help can even do it. I've heard a few talk about how hard it is to work with people now--the complaining, even yelling, the lack of general politeness.

And the funny thing is, it hardly takes a few seconds to smile and offer a store person a friendly comment. Let me tell you, if you want to make friends really fast, start joking around with the employees at your favorite restaurant.

Be nice.

You might help someone who is feeling pretty worthless. 

"This is my commandment. Love one another."  --Jesus Christ.