"A Moment of Kindness Goes a Long Way"

Commentary by Debra Flint-Salter, Independent Business Owner at Just An Illusion, Inc., community activist.

We went out for a bite to eat last evening and was waited on by a server who said he was new to the job. After ordering he would stop by the table a few times and asked how we were doing. After entree was served, I asked for butter for baked potato and waited a while and asked again, pleasantly. He finally brought it and apologized as he often did during our meal for other missteps.

I still found his nervousness at being at a new job one I could understand. At the end of  meal, I told him I was pleased with his manner and politeness, and I was sure he was going to do well at his job. He extended his hand to shake mine and thanked me 'so much' as he said. When he walked away, he had a different bounce to his step and seemed in that moment to be appreciative of being acknowledged for his efforts.

The point to my story is that it only takes a moment to make someone feel appreciated, and this young man (probably around 19) could have been any guy on the streets of the inner city, but he was working at a job to make his money legally. I've often seen servers shouted and cursed at for what the patrons feel is inadequate service, and it's appalling and hurtful to see, especially for what they have to do for the low wages. People that serve us, in any capacity need to be shown appreciation and respect, so treat them well. They have even more to endure during these stressful times.