[Migrated, see pinned post] Casual Conversation

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I love making service staff happy. It's one of my favorite things to do. (lemmy.world)

submitted 3 months ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

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Whenever it's someone's job to help me, I think of it as an opportunity to create a bright spot in what would otherwise be a pretty boring shift. I make them laugh with my silly commentary, engage them in interesting conversation, and above all, show that I care. I hope it makes them as happy as it makes me. And if it doesn't, well hey, there's always next time, right?

I want to show people that there is still good left in this world. When social media blares humanity's worst all the time, love and compassion need to be loud, too. Cynicism, nihilism, and indifference have pervaded every aspect of our culture and, in my opinion, they just aren't cool anymore. Joy is rebellion. Kindness is radical. Optimism is counterculture.

It may be their job to provide the service, but it's my mission to provide the goofy to whoever needs it. Yes sir, I know this is a Wendy's, but I'm not going to let that stop me!

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[–] [email protected] 16 points 3 months ago* (last edited 3 months ago) (1 children)

As a service worker, I have a fair few regulars who I know will brighten my day when I see them. It really doesn't take much; a friendly demeanour, a smile, a joke or two, it all goes a long way to make me feel like we're having a human interaction rather than me being a machine through which you order food & drinks. I've been doing this type of work for years but I still get flabbergasted at people who answer "latte to-go" when I ask them how their day is going.

That being said, something that annoys me (not saying you do this, you sound sweet and self-aware) is when people try to chat us up when we're clearly busy and in a rush. I don't want to be rude, and I would love to chat if I had time, but when I have a mountain of tickets to get through I'm not going to be a particularly engaging conversation partner :P

EDIT: I just want to add;

Joy is rebellion. Kindness is radical. Optimism is counterculture.

Love this. it's basically my motto at work. It's kinda silly, but even something as simple as getting service from a friendly person can make a difference in someone's day. Last year, I had a couple come in the café I worked at, chatted them up a bit, made them laugh. Come to learn they're from out of town, and I ask "what brings you to these parts?" only for the lady to break out into tears and tell me they were here for her mother's funeral. In between her sobs, she said they wanted to go out for breakfast to clear her thoughts from her grieving, and that she truly appreciated the kind and thoughtful service my coworkers and I gave them.

I went into the back and cried a bit after that, but it truly feels nice to make a positive difference in someone's day. I think about her a lot when I have a rough day at work, it helps keep me focused on trying my best. You never know what someone's going through.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 3 months ago

It really does cut both ways. I feel like it's easy for both sides to get wrapped up in this just being another face in the sea of millions. Another person to deal with.

Especially when we have a lot going on. Where they might not know the shitshow playing out in the back of house, we can't know the show going on back at theirs.