Sugarcoated 10: Ripple Effect

How often do we found ourselves thinking of our actions? By the end of the day, after spending our time at the nine to five job we have, we seldom found our thoughts wandering whenever we are alone with it. In my case, a drive home alone in a compact space of your car seems like an ideal way to go. Also a late night before going to bed hours too. 

I always found myself thinking of the people I met for the day (I work in Customer Service). There are times I find myself feel exhausted with the obnoxious attitude that some of those customers have. All their rude remarks, the complaint, the throwing money or cards to the counter table, the condescending comments and unnecessary questions that doesn't make any sense. Was it that hard to be kind? 

I love my job. I liked to believe I'm pretty good at it. Not because its promising or anything but because I genuinely love meeting new people (or regular) everyday. Sometimes, even when I'm not even asking, people will come to the counter and talk about their day. If they're friendly enough, they'll talk about their family and the elders often talk about their kids. The glow on their face when they talk to you is like a light creeping into a darken room. For while, you started to forget the that you're in a bad mood because of that cold breakfast you just had or that Chinese tea you ordered was suppose to have sugar. The encounter was sweet enough that you don't even need it anymore. 

I'm sorry that must've sound cliche' but I mean it. People who works in customer service will tell you that this is superficial but have you ever wonder why? Why does it have to seems that way. It cost you nothing to be kind.It definitely did not require you any kind of heavy effort to be nice to somebody out of pure intention without receiving anything back. 

You do not know how much that would mean to somebody. To you it might not be a big deal but to them, it could mean the world. It could mean a month worth of grocery. This leads to a story. One time, a customer came to the counter and before he sat across me, I could see that he was agitated. He was smiling but it didn't reach his eyes. He explain that he couldn't pay the bill because he didn't have enough money on him. I checked and calculate and turns out that he could pay half the price. He was surprise and I could see the relief in his eyes. "Really? my gosh. Thank you," he said aloud. He was sighing relief and in a glimpse I thought he was almost in a verge of tears. That almost broke my heart. It might not be a bid deal to me but I never know what that elder man had gone through to actually react that way. I do hope he's doing good after that. 

There's another customer, an elderly woman who has vision problem but she's not wearing any glasses. She was slow as she walks and when she took her money out of her purse, it'll took so long. I just wait there, key the amount in and be done with it. It was a long day and I just had some difficulty with my work earlier. I didn't realise I didn't even smile at her. My face was as sour as an orange. After I gave her back her receipt and balance, she asked for my name. I told her and she smiles. "Thank you, Claudia. You have a great day okay," she said and left. I was stunned and felt horrible. My bad day doesn't have anything to do with her but my action affected her. That humbled me. 

So ever since then, I choose to improve myself by being more gentler and encouraging others to do the same. I've made sure that every time a customer comes in, I remember to smile. To watch my tone when I speak and to be attentive whenever I assist them. Then I notice changes in my co-worker too. This would lead to another story.

I am the kind of person who is peculiar with my time. I don't like being late to something and I don't like spending unnecessary time on something that could be done faster. Since the counter where I work be open at 8am, I always made sure I had my breakfast before that hour. In my workplace, every employee is given one hour break whether it's lunch or breakfast. 

In my case, since I work at the counter, we are not allowed to leave the counter empty during work hours. So I prefer to have my breakfast early. My co-worker though, she always had her breakfast later. Like in 9am to 10am. One time she asked have I eaten and I told her I always had my breakfast before eight. I said it's more productive and I get more work done. She didn't comment. I notice she was watching me, but what I didn't know she started to follow that simple habit. 

I barely see her going out in the morning but instead had her breakfast in the office or somewhere closer to the office. I didn't asked her to but she did it on her own. I think this is how ripple effect works. You influence your surrounding by your actions and they did it their way to influence others. Hopefully by spreading positivity , the cycle continues.