Attitude adjustment
One of the truest things I have heard was said by a bus driver on Marta about a year ago. A passenger was acting a fool with a capital “F”. And I could not help but be enthralled with the way the driver kept his composure he was polite, but stern, and above all maintained his professionalism. After the fool exited stage right an elderly lady sitting upfront commented on the mans behavior and how he must hate to deal with people so up close every working day. The driver responded “I’ll put it like this working with people is the most rewarding and most stressful thing”
Now in my J-O-B, we are required to work with people constantly and pretty closely. I work in hospitality, we are nothing without our guest, you can have the best hotel, that is packed with the top of the line features, but if your guest are not happy you won’t be in business long. I have found that the longer I work in this business the more dependent I become on the charm of a stranger as I call it.
Tonight while headed to work I was feeling pretty good, but once I got here my pleasant mood took a turn for the ugly. I don’t know what caused it but I felt more like an ogre than a 23 yr old college student . Rather than let my uncalled for pissy yellow attitude get the best of me, I put on the best smile I could manage, and checked my tone of voice and body language, and set out to put some smiles on my guest faces especially the late nighters who were up with me when they had an upcoming day full of meetings. To some the effort went unnoticed, but to others I noticed how my pleasant vibes ironed out their frown lines. And a few even commented on my chipper nature at an hour of night most fit for sleep or some sort of sin. But one man in particular made my night,While assisting this guest and his two travel companions, he concluded our interaction by saying my boyfriend is a lucky man, ( I know I know typical pick-up line or attempt to get on your good side) But he didn’t say “oh your boyfriend is lucky because you fine girl!!” But rather he said he is lucky because I have such a beautiful spirit. I found out later that the gentleman and his companions were here for a funeral for a loved one, and I was just amazed by their positive attitude especially in such a rough time. They came in with kindness and left a trail of positive energy, that I followed.
I kept this thought with me the rest of the night, some guest came in already frustrated by outside circumstances and while it is easy to give lack luster service to someone scowling like Bart Bass (Sorry love gossip girl!) and cutting you off mid-sentence, and just taking their anger out on you just because your there, I kept up my smile and let him know his bad attitude is no match for my inner happiness. As the saying goes, “never let em’ see you sweat!”. I had one lady realize her horrid attitude and she explained her rough day, which after venting I saw her lovely smile she had been hiding behind coral lips that were doing the pretzel in a twisted up movement on her face. Another guest came down, in a panic for some alka setzer he had a day full of meetings in a few hours and and wasn’t feeling well as he talked he leaked out that when he gets like this at home his wife brings him warm milk. As a gift after he left, I had sent to him mug of warm milk, and a well wish for a productive day ahead. He was much gracious and that felt good. It felt great actually spreading kindness and warmth and I intend to practice this more often!
I guess the moral of the story is just that a ugly attitude much like an ugly pair of shoes can be seen by all, but as time has taught us beauty really comes from the inside and that a smile is the best gift to give as long as it comes from the heart. And above all else to help others is to help yourself.
