Three Words That Goes Along Way
I’m now writing this blog entry at another Dome Cafe close to my house. I decided to get out of the house and into my nearest cafe to do some planning and minor work this morning.
I arrived here at around 8:00am and there were a few customers here already. One of the staff that was at the counter waited for me to order. As I approached her, she had a had a tired look on her face (as anyone would) and she said with a mono tone voice “What would you like to order today?” Before I answered, I asked her sincerely “How are you?” and her face lit up and she started telling me about how she wished she was at home, she shouldn’t be at work today on a Sunday morning and that she just wasn’t motivated today. It seemed that she was just bored and needed someone to talk to. After speaking with her for a few minutes, I ordered my cappuccino asked for the wireless internet password and started working.
Here at Dome cafe, they give you 45 minutes free wireless internet, after that, you have to pay for any additional hours. When she bought out my coffee and breakfast, I realised that she kindly upgraded it to a large for free. Not only that, when my wireless Internet expired, she walked out and gave me another 45 minutes for free.
What I learnt today here was that when you enter a restaurant, cafe, shop…, respect the staff and remember that they also have a story to tell, perhaps they are in the middle of a relationship breakdown, perhaps they are just bored and tired, perhaps they wish they were somewhere else. They are also human too. Whatever the case may be, before you place your order, just ask them “How are you?”. Steven Covey from the book “7 Habits of Highly Effective People” calls this “giving people Psychological Air” and I completely agree with that.
People need that Psychological Air and someone to listen to them, remember everyone is carrying a heavy load.