Bad Days, Nice Gestures

Hurricane Earl was slightly disappointing. I do not exactly like natural disasters, but what I do like is seeing neighbors out helping each other after the fact. It gives me some sort of pride to see the people who I pass by every day pitching in and helping virtual strangers. I say strangers because we spend too much time doing just that- passing by each other. Somehow, when something bad happens, the whole world slows down. It is nice when you see the everyone else slow down with it- take notice and do something about it.

I think that people are capable of recognizing when someone else needs a break- we just have to pay attention. We can be aware that when someone is moody, they might actually just be having a bad day. Customer service should go two ways- you, as the customer, should see the people helping you as PEOPLE. Someone might just be an asshole, but they could also be going through the worst time of their entire life.

I was most grateful one day when I was going through the bridge toll in my city. I had been broken up with the previous day and was going to pick a friend up to go for a drive outside of the city. I had been crying but waited until it was less obvious to leave the house. When I went to give the man change for the toll, he stopped me and said “You know what, this one’s on me” , to which I replied “really” and he explained “yup, I like to do that for someone who looks like they could use a break each day”.

75 cents. That was the cost of someone letting me know that they saw I was in pain and that it mattered to them. Of course, as I drove away this made me cry more (EMOTIONS!) But it was the nicest feeling.

My best memory of my younger brother was when no one else was home and I found out (another) boyfriend had been cheating on me. He saw that I was crying, and without a word, sat down beside me and put his arm around me. He just let me cry for ten minutes before he even asked what was wrong. You have to understand that my brother is quiet and secluded and while we get along we do not talk much. This was even more the case in highschool, which was when this happened. Anyway, when someone notices that you need them to be kind to you, whether it is a stranger or someone close to you, it matters.

My question: why can’t we all go into situations with an understanding that not everyone is having a good day? A smile to a stranger, a thank you, or even an “are you ok” can change their day completely.