Friday found me sitting in a fast food drive- thru line. I was behind a vehicle that had more or less parked at the payment window while the driver chatted with the employee.
The employee was almost hanging out of her window, laughing and chatting with the driver like they were old friends. I wasn’t in a huge hurry but there were adventures to be had and I didn’t understand why they thought it was ok to hold up the line.
They finally said their goodbyes and the vehicle creeped forward so I could move up to pay. What happened next caught me off guard.
The woman at the window greeted me with an apology. “I’m sorry about your wait. She seemed really down and I didn’t want to let her go until she was smiling.”
The cashier told me that the driver was an elderly lady with a little kid in the back seat. She didn’t know the source of the trouble but seemed sincerely concerned for this stranger.
This was surprising because they seemed like old friends.
There’s a lot to unpack here.
We’ll start with the fact there are still decent people in this world. It’s hard to find anyone willing to look up from their phone anymore much less make eye contact. The masses certainly don’t walk around concerned for the well being of strangers or try so hard to brighten someone’s day.
Fast food workers tend to get a bad rap but this lady took pride in her work and I imagine she brightens a lot of days for others.
Second, you never really know what’s happening around you. You don’t know where people are coming from or what they’ve been through. Don’t tap your toe or blow your horn. Judging is easy and is the lowest form of interaction with others. Understanding takes more work and requires compassion. Even if you don’t engage with someone on the same level as that nice cashier, go with the flow and try to extend some patience and kindness toward those around you.
What will it cost you? A few minutes? Is your time really that valuable? A little patience and understanding really could alter the course of someone else’s day and make it better. Be short with someone for being slow and you’ll maybe make it worse.
If you think this will be a problem for you, try leaving a little early. It will ease the stress and make your life better even if you aren’t slowed down by my call for human decency.
The whole experience reminded me of the gas station philosopher I met in Michigan this fall and the wisdom he had to share. Click here to read about him!
