Be Nice

Last week it snowed in Denver, CO and my suburb received between 18-20 inches of snow. Schools were cancelled, roads were closed, power was spotty and people generally stayed home and safe. The snow meant that our cleaning lady was unable to make it on her regular day. She called to say she did not feel it was safe to travel and we agreed with her. The next day as roads were clearing she called to say she was going to come over. We let her know that the side streets were pretty bad, but we would leave the decision to her. Many in the service industry can't afford to skip a paying gig.

Knowing she was coming over, I cleared off the driveway and shoveled the street so she could get into the drive as easily as possible. When she pulled up, I was putting salt on the icy parts. She got out of her car and thanked me for making the effort. It was no big deal and, to me, seemed like the right thing to do. Someone was coming to my house to provide a service, therefore, I needed to make it easy on them. She informed me that, at times, past customers did not clear their walks, had her park several blocks away and walk in the snow, and were not as accommodating when she needed to reschedule. I was a little taken aback as I was raised and have learned to respect those in the service industry. Perhaps it is because I worked a manual labor job as a young man or because my mother worked as a short-order cook and waitress for many years.

I have found those that serve us, whether for pay or because of a duty,  make our life easier in so many ways. It took me only 30 minutes or so to get the driveway in shape and it is something I would have done for a friend, my wife, or anyone visiting my house. This action was an act of kindness in her eye's and made a difference in her day. 

This interaction reminded me of lecture give by my Sociology professor in college. He asked us to imagine ourselves as a doctor at a new hospital. He had us to write down who we felt it would be important to know at the hospital. After a while he read a few of the responses; other doctors, pharmacists, administrators, etc... He was largely unimpressed by our responses and informed us that the most important people to know would be the custodians, the maintenance workers, the food preparation staff as it was these people that allowed all the others to do their work. We can argue about who are the right people to know in a hospital, but what he was articulating that day has stuck with me to this day. We need to be nice to everyone and not take anyone for granted. Regardless of position or profession everyone should be treated kindly and fairly. 

The next time your in line for a coffee, getting your car repaired, or having a package delivered remember that the other person has a family, has commitments, and is an important part of someone's life. Remember to be nice.