A simple thank you, a please, eye contact, a smile - it is almost stupidly uncomplicated.
It was a sweltering hot August summer day, and I was in desperate craving of a cold homeade Skyline chocolate milkshake. I called one of my close friends who lives near, curious if she would want to make the run with me. She agreed without hesitation, and we were on our way.
Walking into the decades old drive-in diner, the smell of guiltily delicious grease and old leather booth seats wafted across our noses. Seated nearby was a father with two of his grade school-aged daughters. A waitress, one whom has worked at the diner for a few years and whom always welcomes diners with a warm smile, approached his table to take his order.
I had finished looking over the menu prior to our waitress making her way to our table, and there was a short lull in my friend's and my conversation so I looked curiously over at his table; I would definitely say that I am a pretty big fan of people watching.
Upon the waitress taking his order, he explained what he wanted in a rather monotonous voice. He explained his order without eye contact, without a smile, without a please, and without a thank you following the last order given.
Although it is not entirely fair for me to pass judgment on a man that I have never actually met before, I cannot help but take this as a reflection of his character. And for that matter, I recognize basic manners or lack thereof as an incredible reflection of any given person's character.
I cannot help but wonder how someone was raised to not allow a simple please and thank you to come out, especially to working people. These working people did not sign up to pamper and serve you without expressing a basic politeness.
It does not require any further energy to acknowledge their work with a smile. Having worked retail, I can honestly attest to the difference that a little friendliness can make in consumer interactions.
Looking over at this man, as he very poorly demonstrated manners in front of his young daughters, a part of me could not help but sting for the waitress. And passing that example onto his daughters? I would call that pretty shameful.
Some people may think that the smile, the eye contact, the thank you, are such minute gestures that it will simply go unnoticed should you choose not to express them. But believe me, it does not go unnoticed.
It is so simple; it is honestly so easy! Say please, say thank you, make direct eye contact, and smile. It means more to others than you might think, and it absolutely reflects incredibly well on you as a person.
