Being kind -- an idea seemingly unknown to most of the people I come into contact with.
Of course, not everyone is downright evil, but I think we can all agree that there are many people that could stand to be a little bit more kind in their daily routines. The few nice people that I do come across go about their day, unnoticed for being kinder than most.
Because I work in a restaurant, I am constantly exposed to very unpleasant and very abrasive people. I once answered the phone only to be screamed at by a man who had not received the correct amount of meatballs in his lasagna dinner. He ordered three and had only received two in delivery. While I am happy to take responsibility for the mistakes that happen coming out of the restaurant, there are most assuredly better ways to voice displeasure than by yelling at the lowest person on the totem pole. I mean, OBVIOUSLY, I deserved to be yelled at even though I (1) did not take his order and (2) do not work in the kitchen. Certainly, shorting this man a meatball was not meant as a personal affront. I understand that he may have been having a bad day or had something going on in his personal life, but regardless of what he may have been feeling, it is completely unnecessary to take your frustrations out on somebody who has nothing to do with the matter.
This man, along with many others, has made me develop a special kind of appreciation for those who are nice and kind even when they do not have to be. These people strike up a conversation with me while I am printing out their receipt and smile at me when they leave with their order. These people ask me how I am in the Strack & Van Til check out line even though a stranger’s well-being probably is not something on their list of important things. It is these people, the people who are kind in passing, that I have learned to appreciate the most. The brief moments between me and people who are genuinely nice remind me that not everybody gets irrationally angry over their meatball count.
As our friend, Ellen DeGeneres, would say, “Be kind to one another” and let this serve as a little reminder for you to be kind even when you do not have to be or are not feeling very nice at all. There will be people, like me, who take notice and appreciate it.
