I learned from a friend how much nicer it sounds when someone says “I appreciate you” instead of “I appreciate it”. I use it all the time now and people are always pleasantly surprised.
I like number 13. I work for an airline. I won’t mention which one or in what role, just to say when things go wrong we don’t do it on purpose. Aviation is complex. 100 years ago flight was not possible for the vast majority of people on Earth. Now we take it for granted.
Maybe I can add a number 18 then? Be amazed at the miracle of flight ✈️
When I’m asked to wait, and especially when the server apologizes, I just tell them it’s okay and that unless and until I’m the only other person on the planet, they need not worry. It’s truly okay that I cannot not always be instantaneously helped.
When you find yourself getting irritated with the old woman driving so slowly in front of you, remember that could be your mother and it definitely will be you someday!
I love this. Thank you so much. During the pandemic in the grocery line, I’d act like I couldn’t make up my mind and then I’d ask the cashier what their favorite candy bar was and then add it to my order for them - it was such a good feeling ! I need to resume that - times are still tough.
About 10 years ago, I was on a business trip, travelling through Chicago. The flight was delayed, delayed again, then cancelled. I was sitting with other unfortunates in a restaurant/bar and had struck up a conversation with a very personable couple. When the cancellation was announced, the man asked what I was going to do. "Lie on the floor near the gate," I responded. His response?
"You can't do that! I have a company here in Chicago, and we often hold seminars in a local hotel. I am going to get you a cab, which will take you to that hotel. This is on me." Angels among us.
I manage a medical office and the other day a patient thanked us and told us how awesome we are. I almost burst into tears. I had my own doctor's visit today and made a point of paying that forward. A nice conversation with the receptionist while you are waiting for your insurance to clear goes a long way toward making someone's day less sh*tty. Love to all!
I love these. Especially number 4, my beautiful sister (with autism and disabilities) has called people by their name badges for as long as I can remember. She asks if they don’t have a badge. She is my teacher.
I remember when I was younger and had a service job. When things went wrong, it was usually something beyond my control. When there’s a problem now, I treat the other person like a person, not my slave, and talk to them about how we could cooperate to make things better. If there’s nothing we can do about it, we can commiserate.
I appreciate number 4 but as someone who has their name out there, sometimes a person repeating my name makes me worried that they are committing it to memory so that they can complain about me! Probably a trauma response...
I have tried to make it a personal practice to tip waiters and waitresses 25-30 percent....when my service is crappy. And, I'll write a note on the receipt to let them know I hope their evening/day gets better.
I learned from a friend how much nicer it sounds when someone says “I appreciate you” instead of “I appreciate it”. I use it all the time now and people are always pleasantly surprised.
I like number 13. I work for an airline. I won’t mention which one or in what role, just to say when things go wrong we don’t do it on purpose. Aviation is complex. 100 years ago flight was not possible for the vast majority of people on Earth. Now we take it for granted.
Maybe I can add a number 18 then? Be amazed at the miracle of flight ✈️
When I’m asked to wait, and especially when the server apologizes, I just tell them it’s okay and that unless and until I’m the only other person on the planet, they need not worry. It’s truly okay that I cannot not always be instantaneously helped.
When you find yourself getting irritated with the old woman driving so slowly in front of you, remember that could be your mother and it definitely will be you someday!
I love this. Thank you so much. During the pandemic in the grocery line, I’d act like I couldn’t make up my mind and then I’d ask the cashier what their favorite candy bar was and then add it to my order for them - it was such a good feeling ! I need to resume that - times are still tough.
About 10 years ago, I was on a business trip, travelling through Chicago. The flight was delayed, delayed again, then cancelled. I was sitting with other unfortunates in a restaurant/bar and had struck up a conversation with a very personable couple. When the cancellation was announced, the man asked what I was going to do. "Lie on the floor near the gate," I responded. His response?
"You can't do that! I have a company here in Chicago, and we often hold seminars in a local hotel. I am going to get you a cab, which will take you to that hotel. This is on me." Angels among us.
I manage a medical office and the other day a patient thanked us and told us how awesome we are. I almost burst into tears. I had my own doctor's visit today and made a point of paying that forward. A nice conversation with the receptionist while you are waiting for your insurance to clear goes a long way toward making someone's day less sh*tty. Love to all!
I love these. Especially number 4, my beautiful sister (with autism and disabilities) has called people by their name badges for as long as I can remember. She asks if they don’t have a badge. She is my teacher.
When I return home, I think of something positive behind the negative experience and draw it. Stopping words helps.
Makes me feel better about the world to hear from people being kind in the face of unpleasant circumstances!
I remember when I was younger and had a service job. When things went wrong, it was usually something beyond my control. When there’s a problem now, I treat the other person like a person, not my slave, and talk to them about how we could cooperate to make things better. If there’s nothing we can do about it, we can commiserate.
I appreciate number 4 but as someone who has their name out there, sometimes a person repeating my name makes me worried that they are committing it to memory so that they can complain about me! Probably a trauma response...
Great tips all around though!
Nadia, see what you inspired with this post.
https://um-insight.net/perspectives/some-ways-to-cope-when-the-umc-division-turns-nasty/
Love, Cynthia Astle
I have tried to make it a personal practice to tip waiters and waitresses 25-30 percent....when my service is crappy. And, I'll write a note on the receipt to let them know I hope their evening/day gets better.