Recently had a flight down to Dallas, TX on
Southwest Airlines. Which I have to say
was an experience...it's more like riding a bus. You get on and people get off at various stops, at which time you are
free to move about the cabin and change seats before the next group of riders
comes on....the same thing happens at the next stop. I kinda liked the system and will definitely
fly them again! However, I digress.
It was during one of the stops (out of St. Louis - not to point the finger at any
one city) that I learned the importance of the small things - a smile, a thank
you - and the impressions we leave with others.
I was moving seats when I heard the seamstresses talking
about the recent deplaning. They were
saying how they'd never want to move to St.
Louis, because no one who deplaned there was ever
happy. They never smiled, said thank
you, met their eyes - or any of the simple pleasantries that show they are
genuinely happy to be getting off the plane - after the bumpy flight and landing,
I figured they were just airsick. After
all, some of fondest memories are of St. Louis trips. I
LOVE this city!
You can bet that when I deplaned in Dallas, I was all about the smiling, saying
thank you, wishing well, can't wait to come again. I'm sure they are all wondering if I'm
running for political office! But I
wanted them to feel appreciated.
It goes back to remembering to be grateful and to show
appreciation, even if it's just for someone doing their job. Your behavior can have a positive (or
negative) impact on others. So, smile at
lots of people today - they'll feel like they forgot something and should know
your name - really throws them off! Say
a sincere thankful to the bagger at the commissary, look them in the eye! Make a difference! Really make them wonder - say thank you and be polite to the poor kid sitting behind the counter at the gas station!
Have you ever had an experience where the positive (or negative) actions of another impacted you - regardless of how the other person might not have realized they were making an impact?
