Slow down. I know you’re already debating in your head what I could have possibly done to her. No, I didn’t school her on black issues. I didn’t talk bad about Trump. I didn’t do any of the things I’m persistent in doing. Speaking truth to power.
All I did was be nice to her.
Here’s the story: I went into a restaurant for brunch and began to order my food. I spoke, said “thank you” and patiently stepped back to wait for my receipt.
The young lady couldn’t have been more than twenty years old. I watched her shed a tear as she thanked me for being so nice to her as no one else had been today. She said she was new and people not only weren’t patient with her but they were extremely rude and dismissive. She was at her breaking point and all someone had to do was be nice to her in order for her to make it through.
As someone who spent over ten years as a waitress at various restaurants, I reminded her that she must always do her best and never take it personal. I let her know that many times when people are rude to those in service industries, it is most likely them, not you that is the problem.
I wonder how we would survive without service industries. Whether many of us could do the work that those in hospitality businesses do. Whether we could be as patient as those who work call centers or sales offices. Whether we understand what they go through for the little pay they receive.
While my experience has given me a different perspective on dealing with those who work to serve me, this young girl made me reevaluate how I view others who are rude or disrespectful to those in industries they could never work in.
Whatever you’re dealing with, you deal with that. No one should ever have to feel the wrath of whatever personal issues you can’t control.
So, before you contribute to someone’s breaking point this weekend, put yourself in their shoes and leave your problems at the door.
Be better and do better.
Peace!
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