I visit the post office a lot. A lot.
You see we do a lot of mailings, both for our own marketing and for clients. So I’m often at the post office getting postage rates, picking up stamps, or mailing stuff.
Sometimes, well, just about every time, there is a lonnnnnng line. Having nothing better to do in line, I observe the people in line. Or I observe the clerks behind the counter. Or I observe the people interacting with the clerks.
One day, while noticing how robotically most people treated the postal clerks who were usually very courteous, I decided to do something different. I decided to take 4 seconds (literally, that’s how long this takes), greet them with a warm smile, look them in the eye, and ask “how are you,” and wait for their response.
I don’t know why I decided to do that. Maybe I felt bad for the clerks. Maybe I was in a particularly happy mood.
The change in the clerk’s demeanor when I did this was striking. I left hoping he was left in a better mood, happier, and more peaceful.
I decided to do this as much as possible.
I did it with the young man behind the concessions counter at the movies. He restrained a laugh, not in derisive laugh, but one of surprise. I noticed his eyes beamed a little too. Seriously.
I do it when I’m paying for my groceries, or at the mall buying stuff.
I find it often takes people aback. And it always allows them to take a deep breath and be human.
So try it next time. Take 4 seconds, put on a genuine smile, look them in the eye, ask “how are you” and wait for their response.
Even if they don’t respond (rarely), you will be the better for it.