10/25/2007: "Smile And The World Smiles Too"
How often do you stand in line at the supermarket, getting annoyed by how many people are in front of you? Or anywhere really. And how often are you the one having to serve customers and getting increasingly annoyed with them?
Have you noticed just how anti-social people seem to be turning lately? Not just in a cashier/waiter-customer role, but even just to strangers around you? People are getting increasingly frustrated with everyone, and really, what's the point? If you look at it from a strictly self involved point of view, you'll notice that being frustrated at people around you, makes yourself feel worse too. From a non-self involved view, you'll notice that you're bringing others down around you.
So why do we do this? I think it's just easier sometimes to be mad at someone, even for a very lame reason. It's a cliche, but I'm sure most of you have heard the addage "Smile, and the world smiles with you". Yep, it's cliche, but it generally holds true.
When I was working as a cashier/waitress, I endured many customers who anyone would reasonably want to yell at. These kinds of people, they just seem to live to anger those around them, and they invariably do bring you down. But there are plenty of people who can easily brighten your day. When I was working, I ended up getting to know several people who would come in all the time. I knew their names and had friendly chats with them all the time, and even if I was having a bad day, these people would make my day a whole lot easier. I've actually found since then that the receptionist at the doctor's office nearby was one of my regular customers who I chatted with, and she's told me that she won't go to that restaurant anymore because of my quitting. So it's kind of like 'Wow, it really makes me feel good that not only did the customer brighten my day, but I could brighten theirs'.
And as a customer myself, I'll generally chat to staff anywhere. Sometimes you get weird stares from them, so they seem to be impossible to talk to. Others though, will chat back; and both you and the other person feel happier for it. I even get into little conversations with other customers while I wait, and again some will just stare but others will respond happily.
One of the messages from the Bible is to treat other people how you would like them to treat you. If you would want people to be polite and friendly to you, be polite and friendly to them regardless of whether they reciprocate. If you would want someone to be patient and not lose their cool with you, be patient and don't lose your cool with them.
So really, what's it going to hurt if you make the effort to be friendly? The worst you'll get is someone glaring at you. But you have just as much chance of making someone else's day, and your own, that much better. It can be hard to talk to a stranger, I know. I'm generally a shy and quiet person, but I push myself to talk and be friendly. You can too if you're willing to put in the effort. So smile!