Common Courtesy - do you earn an A?
Alright, I’m not an expert, but as I’m sitting here in KC awating news of my wife’s arm at the Hand and Spine Surgery Center, I’m in awe at both the professional and the personal courtesy displayed here.
Now where technology is concerned, I’ll never be a “Richard White,” or a “Darren Couch,” or even a “Matt Blatchley. From the Business perspective, I’ll never be a “Brad Stefanoni,” but you know, from a people perspective, I’d say I try to do what I would expect others to do to me.
Ask yourself, do you get offended or a bit unnerved when you sneeze, and no one says a thing, however, when you hear someone sneeze, you always make a point to say, “Bless you,” or “God-bless you?” Well I’m one of those people…but yet, here I sit in the waiting room and without warning, began having a sneezing fit…out of nowhere, the receptionist at the desk as well as my mother-in-law and one other person say, “Bless you.” Man I don’t even get that at work most days.
As I thanked them all, the receptionist, said, “Well you’re welcome.” Man I don’t even get that at home!! A+ goes to the receptionist!
So it got me to thinking…sometimes, it’s the little things that mean the most…are we all displaying the same common courtesy we would want in return? Doubtful, so here is a short but sweet list of some of the “small things” that mean the most…at least to me.
1) the sneezing thing…a “bless you” now and then can distinguish those who show concern for others besides themselves…from those too wrapped up in their own world to notice.
2) Going somewhere…perhaps the occassional offering to get something (such as coffee, a soda, etc.) from another building so the other person doesn’t have to walk that way just for that particular item would be great.
3) Assisting those with children. I was at my kid’s gymnastics class the other day, and a woman with 2 kids was obviously stressing and sitting on the floor with an infant…I went, got a chair and offered it to her, rather than have her squat on the floor…the same could be said for those carrying around infants in a carrier.
4) Have a nice day. A phrase that sometimes goes unsaid. Nothing bothers me more than driving through a drive-through, or making a stop somewhere and they are more in a hurry to shovel you off than to end on a high note. Funny enough, I’ll say that myself to the employees in those positions…cause I feel they don’t get enough credit for what they do either.
5) A SIMPLE THANK YOU! Those 2 words can mean the most…from thanking the person who said “Bless you” to the person getting you a seat…show some appreciation for gods sake…even employees like to hear a thank you for the most minor things. When you receive something, remember, it’s a priviledge, you’re not OWED anything.
Those really are the things that make the most sense to me. Perhaps I’m alone in all this, but if you’re like me…remember, not everyone will take on these qualities, or mannerisms, but deep down, everyone appreciates it when it comes to them.
Be good, and until next time…THANK YOU for reading my blog…and we encourage you to continue listening to Take 2!
Russ
(originally posted Mar. 30, 2007)
