Commit To Kindness And Positive Interactions

“I just keep saying it until they hear me.", she said with a resigned fatigue that conveyed more than a long day and the end of her shift.

There I stood, in line at the pharmacy counter. I had noticed that the previous customer never looked up from their phone during their transaction. To make matters worse, they were so disconnected that the pharmacist needed to repeat the instructions for how to pay. Once done with the keypad, they grabbed their white stapled bag and walked away without a word, their eyes still on their phone.

My turn. I stepped up, smiled, greeted her by the name on her tag and apologized for the previous customer’s complete failure to acknowledge the presence of another person. I also verbally acknowledged her need to slowly repeat payment instructions.

She thanked me. And then she said it....” I just keep saying it until they hear me.”

I let it sink in and it saddened me. This wasn’t some isolated incident. This was a consistent experience for her. Distracted humans who are so focused on their screen that they completely ignore the presence of another person mere feet away from them. What used to be an opportunity to have a brief, positive interaction with someone has devolved into a disconnected and impatient transaction.

We talked. I showed interest and asked some questions about her. She eventually smiled. I wished her a good rest of her evening and she did the same. It wasn’t a deep interaction, but it was positive and I think we both felt better as a result.

How many opportunities are we presented with each day to have even brief, positive interactions with others that can mutually brighten one another’s day and perspective?

Have some fun and give it a try! Read a name tag and call someone by their name. Look them in the eye and greet them with a smile. Then ask them how their day is going, or give them a genuine compliment about something you observe. I have found that by following even these few simple steps, it gives me as much value and warmth as the recipient. Try it and I’m confident you’ll find the same, especially on days when you’re feeling blah or down.

As I left the store, I walked past the people obediently interacting with screens at the “self” checkout lines. Hmm...perhaps the deck is being stacked against us, as natural opportunities for these interactions diminish. But that just galvanizes within me the commitment to follow through whenever the opportunity presents itself.

By committing to kindness and positive interactions you’ll tap into a simple and repeatable source of fulfillment. Most importantly, you just may make someone else’s day. And who doesn’t like to do THAT?!?