Laura's Corner

Say Cheese!!!

Posted by Laura Beyer on July 12, 2012

More than once in a while, I head through a check-out lane. I have to admit, at certain establishments, I will wait for my favorite Customer Service Rep or Cashier. I play favorites; I will be the first to fess up. Yet, aren’t we all draw back to people, places and things which make us feel good, all giggly inside?

I have had my fair share of positive and negative. Fortunately, the good outweigh the bad. Once in a while, for some unknown reason, I’ve had the unfortunate encounter of dealing with the not-so-nice, the one person who is having a bad century. Why is this person serving me, I wonder. Why were they hired for this particular position? For some odd reason, they were chosen, and not just out of the blue. That’s right, the employer didn’t pick their name out of a hat similar to that in the beloved Harry Potter movie. Nope, that’s not how it happened. For some reason, and yes, it’s a good one, you and this particular individual are crossing paths. 

How you respond will make or break your day. Yes, you heard me, it will make or break YOUR day. Not theirs. They’re already in a mood, so to speak, you may be as well. It is at this moment, which was meant to happen, that you can make a difference, for the good.

We are all meant to cross paths. Accidents happen for a reason. Without them, we would never see the most amazing, self-sacrificing of human nature. Without them, we would never step out of our comfort zones to help a stranger in need. Without them, most likely, we would never meet others, like us, who care about the world and others around them.

Every single person you interact with, whether it be in a check-out line, school, work, gas station, mechanic’s shop, tow truck driver, etc, was put on this earth to give you a life lesson. Negative behaviors reflect how we shouldn’t behave. Without these interactions, we would not have a comparison to when raising our children to be decent, kind, honorable human beings.

How does one deal with a grumpy cashier, an angry, ignoring Customer Service Rep, that telemarketer on the phone? Simple. Smile, say hello and engage. Let me explain.

You’re cruising through the drive-thru. The person taking your money stares, is void of emotion and holds out her hand. No smile, no grin, no “Hi, that will be $4.50 please”, nothing. What’s your first response? Avoid, throw your money and become highly agitated? Have choice words on the tip of your tongue? Do you call the manager, telling that individual that the service is less than? I hate to admit, I may have done one or all of the above. But for the throwing money part, because most likely, I it will fly anywhere but her hand and I will have to leave my car, holding up the line, to search for my missing change. 

Instead of reacting, in a negative manner, I simply say one thing. “Where is your smile?” Immediately, regardless of how that person may have felt the last week of their lives, they smile. Yep, it’s true. Rarely have I had the eye roll, whatever type movement. I then say, “Wow, that looks so good on you, you should wear that more often.” Works every time.   

The minute that person smiles, their guard is down. It is at that time, you say, “How’s your day, what’s going on or what do you think of the weather.” How hard is that? If you have enough time to sit in a drive-thru or wait to check out, what’s two more minutes of your time going to hurt?

Every single person that you engage with is a person you are meant to cross paths with. Without conversing and asking simple questions we are missing out on opportunities to make new and exciting friends. Granted, not everyone you meet is going to be a best friend forever, but it will give you the opportunity to not only hone your own skills but get better customer service every time you return.

I hope each and every one of us gives someone else the benefit of the doubt. Each day we leave the house we are given opportunities to make it or break it. Whether it’s another driver, or a customer service rep, we never know what the “offender” is going through. You may be the one person to show they care, make a difference and may even be that one flicker of light they’ve been praying for. Why not start today?