I was working today and assisting my customer with their request. She mentioned to me that she had been in the hospital. I, being the trained Customer Service professional that I am, expressed concerned and asked how she was doing. She answered my question and I continued with her request. When I finished helping her and ended our conversation, I heard her say to whomever she was talking to that I was more concerned with her being in the hospital than helping her. She was snide and kept commenting until the line was cleared. Really lady? Haven’t you ever heard of common courtesy?
It made me think about how we are in such a hurry with our busy lives that we don’t take the time to be courteous to one another. If you work in any type of business that comes in direct contact with people, then I feel your pain. I observe people all the time in a hurry, or just plain old mean for no reason. I know most of us don’t intend or try to be rude to one another, but sometimes we need to slow down and acknowledge one another.
It happens with church members too. I don’t know a lot of people personally at my new church, but I do recognize faces. I see them all the time when I’m out shopping, associate ministers, ushers, choir members, etc. Don’t get me wrong, I know you can catch a person at a bad time, but I have seen several church members be completely rude to people and don’t recognize their surroundings. The pastor at my church in Kansas City used to tell us this all the time in leadership meetings. I was the president of the choir, and as a leader in the church, I was always conscience of my surroundings and how I conducted myself in public. I was a mature, middle aged woman so I knew how to act when I was out. I would see people all the time and they would tell me they belonged to the church and saw me singing in the choir. I was always approachable, and took the time to hold a brief conversation with that person.
Am I Miss Social all the time? Of course not, but I do try my best to be courteous to my fellow neighbor. When I’m out walking in the mornings, I speak to everyone that I pass. If you have a cute dog, I’ll stop and pet your dog. Sorry, don’t do cats. Let’s try to be nice to each other, be courteous and show a little respect. Take care.
well said. We seem to have lost the desire to sometimes simply smile at each other. The question is how do we change this? How do we fight against become like the folk you describe?
You know that’s a loaded question. Seems like we can use this tool we love so much, social media to spread anything we need to say.
It’s crazy that common courtesy seems so foreign to some that when they encounter it, there is a negative reaction. I was talking to a client the other day who told me that she wished she had my job (I am a Disney travel agent) because everyone is always happy. Well – I will say that I do LOVE what I do – but planning for Disney can make just about anyone angsty
I can imagine how hectic that is! I bet you work hard to make those reservations and travel plans work for the happiest place in the world! Thanks for visiting!
Well said. Last night at the grocery store I asked the checkout gal (who I go to all the time) how her day was going, since she didn’t look very happy. She started telling me about her health which hasn’t been good lately. Her manager must have overheard us because she came running over interrupting us, asking me about bagging. Was it really so awful for a worker to have a real conversation with a customer.
Stopping over from SITS. Love your blog title and tag line.
The woman probably only needed that one sympathetic ear, that’s all people need sometimes. Thanks for visiting!
I agree with you 100%! I remember being new at university, and just wishing somebody would smile as I walk by them. Nowadays I’m well-known on my campus but still people don’t even greet back when I say hi. I wish people would just be nicer to each other, in general. Thanks for a good post. By the way, don’t let that lady get to you.
Visiting via SITS sharefest
Thanks so much for visiting!
My cat wouldn’t want to be petted too quickly anyway
“When I’m out walking in the mornings, I speak to everyone that I pass.” << that's what I'm talking about!! Why not? It doesn't require but an ounce of energy to do so, if that.
I don't know why this is so hard for people…
Maybe we're just the crazy ones
~Kesha
Maybe we are, it’s sad though….thanks for stopping by!