GETTING & GIVING SMILES

It came to me in a recent day dream that even our votes, sermons, political contributions, and second amendment rights may not change a world imploding with madness and misery. Therefore, I dreamt a little vision to make my world a little nicer place.

Now, at the conclusion of a business transaction or passing conversation with a stranger I smile, thank them, and use their name. Thanking Howard, Edith, Jose, or Mohammad for my 7-11, retail, fast food, haircut or liquor store purchase has solicited giggles, grunts, but mostly smiles. A very wise person once said that the sweetest sound is hearing someone say your name. It's true. Most clerks, government employees, and business people wear simple name badges or fancy lanyards bearing their name and job title. In my unscientific testing, using a strangers name once or twice seems to cause good eye contact and percolate a warm smile.

Too often in our day to day rush we may consider clerks as human extensions to a cash register. We may consider them our temporary servants unworthy of simple courtesies. I know from astonished and bemused looks that many clerks are surprised to hear their name mentioned in greetings or thank yous.

In my opinion, its a nice and decent thing to do. Using someones name may not end all the problems of our society and world, but its a small way to try. To get a smile, give a smile and name names !

                          AFTER & BEFORE A "HELLO CHARLIE" GREETING !