Thought for the Day: We never know the impact a small kindness can have on another.
It was one of those ordinary days. I was checking out at the supermarket. My son was helping me bag the groceries. He was having some trouble separating the plastic bags on the hook and the young man checking me out said he had been on the job 3 days and just got the hang of it. I had noted how rapidly he totaled my order and I asked if he had been transferred from another store. He said no, that this was his first time as a checker. Since he looked young enough to be my grandson I immediately went into “recognition mode” Wow, you are one quick learner. Please tell your parents that a customer commented on what a great job you’re doing. They must be very proud of you. He just smiled.
As we were leaving my son said that the store likely had a rigorous training program. His comment piqued my curiosity and I was darn well gonna find out. I stopped and asked another employee how long it took to train new people for the checkout counter. She looked at me cautiously and asked me why I wanted to know. I told her how impressed I was with the efficiency and accuracy of a brand new employee. She smiled and said: I was sure you were going to complain because the truth is they have very little training — one day and they’re thrown to the wolves. She asked me to point out the employee because she wanted to pass on my comment to his supervisor.
Maybe it wasn’t such an ordinary day after all. I felt a warm glow. Because even though it was many, many moons ago, I have clear recall of what it was like to be young and unsure at a new job, actually, unsure about almost everything. I also remembered what sincere praise did to boost my confidence. I also realized that it’s likely management hears many more negatives than positives. Wouldn’t it be great if we took some time to balance it out a little? Just sayin’
As always, I welcome your comments.
It really does take so little to make someone’s day. Powerful lesson here, Dear Lady. That kind of thoughtfulness (that you demonstrated) is pretty rare, and we have the power to change that. You have inspired me. Again.