The Waitress

It’s Sunday morning.  I and members of family are going out for breakfast to a local chain restaurant.  This is a routine that we thoroughly enjoy as it gives us time to visit, catch up on the latest happenings and eat some of those decadent foods we normally avoid.

The manager of the restaurant is taking people to their tables and we are quickly directed to ours after he pulls out some menus for us from a wooden side pocket by the cash register. A lovely young woman comes to our table, introduces herself, and within just a couple of minutes astonishes all of us with the friendliest introduction to the day’s specials. She gives her recommendations and then asks what we would like to drink.  Her total presence of graciousness was delightful.  After taking our order she repeated back to us the details making sure she had everything correct. All of us were smiling and commenting on how pleasant it was to have such an efficient and happy waitress.  This restaurant was very nice and had great food but this young lady was unlike any other waitress we had ever encountered at this restaurant.

When the meal was brought to us she not only repeated to us our orders placing the food directly in front of us but she was smiling the whole time she was doing it. We felt like royalty with the way she presented the food and how she took such good care of us.  We made a point of thanking her for the marvelous way she worked and how special she made us feel as customers.  Of course, we left her a hefty tip as well.  She was one of a kind.

As we were paying our bill at the front cash register we made a point of complementing the waitress to the manager we had met coming into the restaurant.  I said that I had also written my comments on the bill and hoped he would let her know our appreciation.  As he was handing me my change he said, “I have never met anyone like her.  She loves being a waitress!  Every person she waits on says almost the very same things you do.  She makes people feel special. She is warm, friendly, and courteous. I wish I had a dozen like her.”

Customer service is so important and this waitress exemplified the best of her profession. How often is it that we think that our work doesn’t make a difference?  How often is it that we demean professions that don’t have sophisticated labels of one type or another?  How is it that graciousness, courtesy, thoughtfulness, respect and a smile are determined to be obsolete?

Every job on this planet whether it is being a janitor, garbage collector, teacher, doctor, soldier, or any other profession is important. So many people are working at jobs that won’t get recognition in the Wall Street Journal or any other major publication but their work is nonetheless vitally important.  The infrastructure of any efficient and productive society is vital for its health and stability.  When we, as individuals, don’t respect and appreciate excellence…well, it doesn’t bode well.

I wanted to write about this young woman because she was doing what she loved and was doing her work with enthusiasm and efficiency.  Many in her profession feel demeaned by their position and do mediocre work because they don’t see its value.  How wrong they are. For whenever we do our best with enthusiasm we are bound to be noticed.

When you encounter an individual that goes that extra mile to be courteous, thoughtful, helpful, creative, and enthusiastic, do let them know how much you appreciate them.  Make their day by letting them know that how they have conducted themselves, their business, or another activity has made you a very happy person.

One person can make such a very big difference! Have a magnificent month.

Donna Seebo at www.delphiinternational.com