The importance of being nice

This is my attempt at looking extra friendly. And meet my new favorite sweater! SO SOFT!

Life lessons from someone you probably don't take seriously! Ha ha.

Rudeness is a quality I cannot tolerate. Unfortunately we all deal with this everyday, usually from complete strangers. I do NOT understand this. I go out of my way to be kind, friendly, and at the very least polite to people I encounter and interact with even if they don't do the same for me. You never know what kind of day they're having and what impact you and your actions may have on them. There is so much nastiness out in the world, why add to it?

I guess working in customer service for 100 years has probably affected my outlook on things. I have been on the receiving end of rudeness too many times to count. This is understandable, but not okay at all, because everyone knows that working in customer service sucks. You deal with grumpy people, people in a hurry, and people who could care less about you as long as they get their beer, food, or nonfat extra shot latte, stat. It's frustrating but it happens everyday. But rudeness unfortunately also happens outside of work. People are just plain rude sometimes

My favorite way to deal with the grumpy folks out there is to "kill them with kindness" (as my momma taught me!). That's pretty much my game plan. I'm rarely rude in retaliation, even if people deserve it. Because like I said, you never know what might be going on their end. Life is a mess and sometimes days suck, I'd hate to make it worse. And the good news is that sometimes you can thaw grumpiness and end up brightening their day! Bonus! In my case the bad news is, because I aim to please, I tend to get walked over sometimes (a lot). So I guess there is a point where you've got to have a little backbone and stick up for yourself if someone is out of line or just stomping all over you. I'm working on that part. But there is usually a nicer way to say things, even if it's not something someone wants to hear.

And of course there are plenty of completely lovely people out there to make up for the meanies. As a great example, the other day I hit the jackpot and it seemed that everyone I encountered was nice. I had the sweetest sales associates help me out while I was shopping (at two stores!) and then while I was at Walmart (aka a mecca for jerks) a sweet old man complimented me on my outfit, twice. Suh-weet.

So the next time you're out, make an effort to be nice to people you see. It's so easy and it makes you feel good. Smile at your cashier, even if it looks like they hate their job (they probably do). Or be a little more patient with your server, you are not their only table. Let a car merge in front of you (this is for all you Austinites). Hold a door open for someone. And please say please and thank you. The world would run a little smoother if everyone just took a second to be little more kind and thoughtful. What comes around goes around y'all. Like they say, karma is a bee-otch.

Spread the happiness people, a little goes a long way!