28 Days of Random Kindness - Act X

Shared a smile

I was in one of those large department-type stores and I was waiting in the check out line. It was a long line up so I was there for several minutes. While I waited I watched the clerk, she was probably in her fifties but looked much older. Her face was washed out and she looked visibly tired. She was working quickly but silently. The customer two in front of me was downright rude to her and the next one was not much better. Not a please or thank you uttered.

When it was my turn, she said 'hello' (like she does to every customer) but I responded to her with a big smile and I asked her how she was doing today. She said, 'fine'. I then said 'you're doing a great job, it's really busy in here'. She looked right at me with a big smile. Her cheeks blushed slightly and her eyes lit up. She talked to me the whole time as she quickly rang through my order. When she handed me my receipt, she looked right at me and said 'you have a great day' and I told her to do the same. As I was pushing my cart away I could hear her greet her next customer with a 'how are you doing today'. I could hear a smile in her voice. I guess it really can work - a smile can be passed on.

Imagine the possibilities...

"Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around".
Leo Buscaglia