I know I am being quite unconventional,
but please indulge me.
November, a month typically known for thankfulness,
are we really?
I AM thankful. Let me start off this way, then I have story that really left a huge impression on me, to the point I feel very compelled to share.
I am very thankful that this feature has been well received.
I am very thankful for the businesses that have shared of their time with me, a complete stranger, just to tell me about themselves and their businesses.
(I wouldn't have answered the door for me, as I don't like talking to strangers!)
The time they shared with me, to me, is not something I take lightly.
They owe me nothing, nada, zip.
When you visit the locally owned, "little guys", do you express your gratitude for the huge step they've taken in just going up against the big guys?
Do you express your gratitude for an awesome experience, wherever you go?
How much of a difference can you make by simple actions, like a smile, a thank you, or just being patient?
Ok, I actually have 2 stories, one may sound silly,
but it was a "Wow" moment for me.
A couple weeks ago, hubby and I had lunch at Los Mariachi's. We are creatures of habit, and usually order the same thing. It's good, why mess with that? :)
The platter I typically get, is really good, but my tostada gets a little soggy from it's counter parts on the plate. This visit, the simplest thing made the biggest of impressions. The cook put a single tortilla chip under the edge of the tostada that is beside it's soggy partner. That tostada didn't get soggy!
It was so simple, and yet, that one little chip made all the difference. I asked the waitress to let whoever did it know that by doing that one little thing, actually made my day, it was simple genius. I don't know that she let him/her know, so when I saw a comment card, I made sure to put it in writing as well.
The kitchen crew rarely, if ever, gets thanked. I'm sure they hear the complaints, but really... the wait staff usually get all the praise. I really hope that person gets the word that it DID make somebody happy. They deserve to know!
Fast forward to this week. Hubby and I went to lunch Friday.
We went to Denny's, and it was crazy busy and packed.
We were told it would be "a few minutes", which, we could tell actually meant a few minutes shy of forever. Nevertheless, we stayed. We watched the flurry of activity, and could tell they were very short handed.
Some of the waitresses looked very worn and unhappy.
I watched one, that looked especially harsh, and hoped that isn't who we would get. 20 minutes later, guess who we had?
Yup, the one I hoped we didn't get. Boy, was I wrong!
She was super friendly, warm, and amazing!
We didn't say anything about the chaotic feel of the day, or the wait. We weren't crabby for having to wait, we were just glad to be seated.
She was super gracious, attentive, and didn't charge for the hot chocolate I added, "because you've been so nice", referring to us both.
I can see why she looked harsh, I can't imagine how many impatient, unkind people she'd taken care of before we ever got there. The line of those waiting didn't slow down at all.
Just by not being impatient, not stating the obvious about the wait (can only imagine how many times she heard that already), she showed her appreciation TO US! Holy smokes, that blew me away! She got tipped very well. It was the only outward way we could show her our appreciation as well.
To go a step further, I emailed our local Denny's and shared with them as well, asking for her to get some kind of recognition, and shared our experience.
How often do we bring our unhappiness to a business's attention?
Oh ya, that would be frequently.
How often do we share to the 'higher ups' how wow'd we were by one of their people? Not enough, and I'm guilty of that myself. I am going to change, especially this month, and actually, the rest of the year.
The "holidays season" , that we pretty much consider the rest of the year, can be a very harried time for those in all fields. Let's slow down and recognize that we're all human, and we all need to be appreciated.
Please look for opportunities to brighten someone's day, especially if they've really done something worth noting.
Go forth, and be thankful!
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9 comments:
I haven't been there in several years, LM, but it was a favorite place of mine!
The service at Denny's surprises me. I quit going there because of the lack of good service. I could never get a second cup of coffee or water. I'm glad to see they have changed for the better.
We have several places we go to regularly for good food and service! There are three restaurants in Pt Charlotte owned by two brothers. All are operated with the same high standards for food and service. These three places are always super busy. It pays off.
We have gone to Denny's a few times and it is busy but you do get good service there. They always come by and see if everything is alright and if you need anything. I can say one time we did have to wait for about a half hour to get seated but the service was good.
I often talk to people while waiting in line. It helps kill the time and I can usually come up with some joke.
I was at Malicki's Piggly Wiggly the other day and the woman two spaces ahead of me was being an absolute bitch. I'm not sure what the problem was, but numerous times an employee looked at something she had bought and then came back and showed her another one. Nothing met her standards. I thought, "The time to compare is when you're shopping, not checking out."
When I finally got to the cashier I made some crack. I feel bad for people who have to take it on the nose, especially from ignorant beasts. You're buying something, but not the clerk or waitress.
dealing with people every day, all day, can be draining. Kudo's to those that do it cheerfully. I try, but don't always succeed. I try to at least put on a good show.
I forgot to tell you 2 other things I'm super grateful for, both have been features - Alaskan Fireplace - keeps my basement toasty, and there is something almost magical about a fire. Sound Decisions - when it was wicked cold, having the car start without me needing to be outside freezing my hiney, to go out, get in and be in a toasty car - best thing I've ever done for myself!
LM, Alaskan Fireplace is who did mine in Sturtevant. Nice people. That is the one thing I will miss from that place...my beautiful great room. That fireplace heated the entire first floor.
Thank you, Liz for finding a positive thing to post!
It seems lately that everything is negative. People are crabbier, the news is horrible to watch with Ebola scares, war stories about ISIS and inhumane killings, robberies, evil assaults and lawlessness, accusations against those who represent us, price gouging. Then, on top of it all.... we have these nasty political commercials that run one after another.
We need kindness, peace and good old fashioned common sense. Will it return?
Peace, love, and rock 'n roll to you all!
Btw, it didn't work the first time. In fact, look at the messes we have today.
"We need kindness, peace and good old fashioned common sense. Will it return?"
I wish it did, it seems to get worse... Long hours, crazy drivers and annoying people, it's no wonder why I prefer the solitude of the woods.
I've been to Los Mariachi's a few times. Coming from a guy whom doesn't care too much for Mexican food, it's pretty good!
Just saw all the repeated comment spam mess, Orbs. Such a shame that some can't accept the facts that we are done... and move on. I find it embarrassing.
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