Being Nice Costs You Nothing
An Instagram post on fashion week reminded me how mean and hateful people have become. Maybe they were always mean and social media just gave them a platform amplified by like-minded people and bots. It’s become ok to lash out at strangers, friends, family, co-workers. The saying, ‘if you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything’ is no longer. In a world where everyone gives their opinion, thoughts, or jokes on the subject it gets real bad. Quick. The snark was coming up and about to be on my lips when it hit me. I was about to say something not nice but decided to give empathy with less questioning and being judgy. In my head I gave them a bit of grace and didn’t expend negative energy.
I smiled at the staff as I approached Popeyes counter. The cashier was busy making orders, two others were making sides (one with a big chip on his shoulder), a third saw me from behind the stove, and a fourth came from behind. I asked her nicely to take my order. She told me to use the kiosk. Sigh. I did, but because I wanted to specify pieces and didn’t want a drink it wouldn’t take. When I told her I was having trouble, she told me she didn’t know how to do it, turned away and asked the lead cashier to do it in a very surly manner.
The cheery cashier took my order, smiled, all while moving efficiently. When my order number was called, the surly one walked past my order on the counter and avoided eye contact. I have to keep it real. Sometimes people wonder why they are in the situation they are in and project frustration onto others rather than make a better life. They work at Popeyes and are mad about it, not happy they have a job, a step toward something else. She looked to be mid-20’s unhappy about something. Maybe the people in her life are mean to her.
And yet the cheery cashier was moving, working with purpose, doing as told, and giving positive vibes. I got her attention and she gave me my order. I told her, hey tell your co-workers that being nice costs you nothing. She said she would. We both smiled.
Not always easy but going to keep at it. Smiling, being nice, and keeping it real.