I worked as a lifeguard for four years as my first job. As a lifeguard not only did I watch patrons in the pool, I worked the front desk and helped people with various things. I loved my job, I loved my coworkers, and I learned a lot of things about myself. I also learned a lot about people, too.

Common courtesy goes along way.

Kindness to those who are providing a service to you is more important than I could explain. The best shifts always included people smiling, asking how my day was going, and generally be nice. Simple common courtesy can make a big impact on someone who may be having a hard day.

Pick up after yourself.

I was never the type of person to leave trash on the ground, but I become extremely aware of cleaning up after people after my first job. Unfortunately, I picked up after people who left garbage on the ground because they thought someone else would clean it. I understand my job was to maintain the pool deck, but people would leave their garbage all over when the trashcan was three steps away. Honestly, it was just rude.

If you want something, be nice not angry.

Often, people would inform me of their complaints and issues they had regarding the pool. Some would be respectful and kind, and others would be discourteous. Can you guess which one I was more willing to help? If you need assistance or would like something, try speaking to that person, well, like a person. Kindness goes a long, long way.

You and your coworkers are a team.

The choices you make regarding your job, affect your coworkers. If you decide to call in sick because you don’t feel like coming into work, then one of your coworkers who may have originally had the day off has to cover for you. If you are late to your shift, someone has to stay longer to cover for you. If you don’t complete the tasks you should be doing, somebody else has to. To everyone else, you and your coworkers are one unit. The impression one of you gives off is the reputation you all carry.

People are people, no matter what uniform they are wearing.

There is no justification to treat someone like they are lesser because of the uniform they wear. We are all human beings, like we were all taught as kids, “treat others the way you want to be treated.”