My blog buddy Jack wrote about going to a store today and there being an issue at the register that caused the line to back up. He chose the path less traveled and made the best of the situation by having fun with fussy kids in line. A little of his magic created a little magic in the group of people who were "stranded" in line by circumstances beyond anyone's control.
I think this is a great lesson. Life is too short to waste it on being miffed at something as insignificant as a slow-moving line. The best policy is that if you're in a hurry, don't stop at a place that can slow you down. The law of "obstacle-lation" kicks in which will throw you further behind.
I can't do magic like my friend Jack, but one thing that I do while waiting in a line moving at a glacial pace is to read the headlines from the National Enquirer. Apparently, JonBenet Ramsey is still making headlines. For those of you who don't remember JonBenet was the six-year-old beauty queen that was mysteriously murdered twenty years ago on Christmas Day. I do believe the National Enquirer has named every member of her family, her community, and the state of Colorado as the actual murderer. So who wouldn't want to stay on top of this developing story while they are waylaid in a slow-moving line?
Seriously, you can tell a great deal about a person by how they treat waiters, waitresses, and cashiers at a big-box store. People in those positions would lose their jobs if they took the crap you loaded onto them and put it back in their laps, so they have to "take it."
Maybe it makes people feel superior to be ugly to the "hired help." But in my eyes, it makes them something that would thrive in the shallow end of the gene pool.
Thank you Jack for being one of the good guys.
I think this is a great lesson. Life is too short to waste it on being miffed at something as insignificant as a slow-moving line. The best policy is that if you're in a hurry, don't stop at a place that can slow you down. The law of "obstacle-lation" kicks in which will throw you further behind.
I can't do magic like my friend Jack, but one thing that I do while waiting in a line moving at a glacial pace is to read the headlines from the National Enquirer. Apparently, JonBenet Ramsey is still making headlines. For those of you who don't remember JonBenet was the six-year-old beauty queen that was mysteriously murdered twenty years ago on Christmas Day. I do believe the National Enquirer has named every member of her family, her community, and the state of Colorado as the actual murderer. So who wouldn't want to stay on top of this developing story while they are waylaid in a slow-moving line?
Seriously, you can tell a great deal about a person by how they treat waiters, waitresses, and cashiers at a big-box store. People in those positions would lose their jobs if they took the crap you loaded onto them and put it back in their laps, so they have to "take it."
Maybe it makes people feel superior to be ugly to the "hired help." But in my eyes, it makes them something that would thrive in the shallow end of the gene pool.
Thank you Jack for being one of the good guys.
Well said. I usually have patience in line. I just stand and people watch or start a conversation with the one behind me.
ReplyDeleteLisa
My wife thinks I talk too much with people and make stupid jokes, but every once and a while if I have to return something or ask a question it is helpful that they say, "Oh, I remember you."
ReplyDeleteYou have said this so well and I feel so bad for the people who are in retail or in any other field where they must take a lot of guff from the public. When small minded people feel the only way to build up the self esteem is to barrage and belittle another, it just shows how truly sad these people are. In the end, these people never win out, they often end up alone.
ReplyDeleteI go out of my way to be friendly with people working with the public, probably because I once worked with the public and I know how trying it can be.
ReplyDeleteCourtesy isn't class conscious. Or shouldn't be. I was a sales assistant many years ago, and some people did leave their manners behind.
ReplyDeleteI agree, Jack is a good guy for sure ! Being of service to the public you see all kinds of things but a smile is always welcome. You can make or break someones day by what you say or how you act.
ReplyDeleteI couldn't agree more Rick... I used to work as a cashier... one night I was working until midnight on night before the holiday, I had to leave right on time to catch a bus. The line ups were long and I had put a closed sign with my last customer... a woman came and stood in my line...when I told her I was closed she became so angry calling me every name... I didn't take it personally, I thought she was pretty small minded as she should have been more aware there was a holiday... I felt bad for other cashiers that had to take that xox
ReplyDeleteI try to give everyone a small compliment. For instance I will tell a clerk that I like her earrings, or a waiter that his service was really special. The smile that appears on their face makes me feel good, too!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the shout out, entertaining kids used to be my bread and butter and it is hard to get away from. I do enjoy children, their smile lights up a world.
ReplyDeleteMan I love that photo, I know those are supposed to be mean clouds, but I love 'em especially that flag flying in the wind.
I think I said it, but I will say it again. I enjoyed "Life Goes On" so much, I smiled, laughed out loud and had to surreptitiously wipe a tear or two. Sherry just finished it, she loved it also. It is a Good work.
Long lines can be aggravating. I have worked both sides of those lines and neither is pleasant.
ReplyDeleteYour last two paragraphs say it all! I/we don't socialize outside home much, but I've come to gauge people by the way in which they treat our server. I can't think of much more demeaning than refusing to meet someone's eye or not use their name. (Doesn't everyone enjoy hearing their name?)
ReplyDeleteHell yes no likes be stuck in the slow lane but it happens and all one can do is make the best of it and children need to be helped to make the best of it sometimes things happen no ones fault it just happened so smile and make the best.
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