One of the coldest days ever (it was recorded as such) I entered a coffee shop to purchase a hot chocolate and munchkins for Mr. Fireman.My place had a couple of sprinkler pipes frozen and the fire department assigned a fireman to stand by outside all night just in case something went wrong.
Standing in line waiting for my turn to order, a lady on my right side entered the store and smiled at me, I smiled back at her and noticed that she did not realize I was next in line.
There were only two workers at the place so they were running around trying to finish everything as quickly as possible, one of the workers after a few minutes said: “Next please!”
The lady on my right went up to the register and started ordering. The employee realized what happened since she saw me waiting first in line. The store inside was a little confusing so I understood of why this could have happened and therefore, decided to keep my mouth shut since I also did not care. While all this happened, I noticed that a guy behind me was looking down into his phone and did not know what was going on.
The lady right away turned around and apologized: “I’m sorry I thought that was the pick up line after you order.”
I replied : “No worries Ma’am I don’t care.”
After this, the guy behind me walked right beside me, she asked again: “You don’t mind?”
I said again: “My pleasure please go ahead and order.”
She looked at the guy behind me and asked him: “You don’t mind?”
He said: “I do” and started walking around me.
I said to him: “Just wait right there! For being patient and not saying anything you earn a free coffee on me.”
He looked at me surprised and said: “I’m in for that!”
The lady felt bad and said ” I’m sorry” and start walking back towards the line.
I said once again please don’t worry and she did not listen any more. She probably felt really bad. I would of felt the same way in her shoes.
I walked up to the register and I asked the guy behind me to come.
He said to me: ” You don’t have to do this.”
I said: ” I offered you a coffee so I am going to keep my word, please allow me.”
He order his coffee and said: ”thank you” and he placed the money for his coffee in the tip mug.
(See how this Domino effect works! )
I replied after: “My pleasure, happy holidays!”
As I waited for the hot chocolate and munchkins, the guy stood by me the whole time and waited until I finally left to tell me: “Thank you once again!”
I decided to let her go first and also recognized the patience of this guy when I asked him to wait. He didn’t really mind until she ask him directly, but I still wanted to show him that being courteous and patient can benefit you sometimes.
We all complain when someone cuts you off in traffic, but in the long run you really don’t know that being delayed could have saved you from getting hit by a reckless driver.
We can view every situation in a different way, it all depends if you want to be indifferent about it or make a difference, which side do you choose?
