When I started working in Homeworld almost 8 years ago, I often saw the cleaner on my way into work and my many trips to the bathroom (we don’t have a toilet inside work, which is sometimes a blessing and a curse).
I don’t know his name, but we always exchanged greetings when we saw each other, until one day I noticed there were new cleaners. They weren’t as friendly, and I gave up saying good morning or smiling at them.
I can’t remember how long it was later, but I saw him in the Hyperdome one day and realised he now worked there instead. Despite many months passing, we exchanged greetings. He remembers me, I thought. I see him less since the Hyperdome is much bigger than Homeworld.
As I walked from the gym to work this morning, I walked past him, and we said good morning to each other and continued with our day—a simple yet very effective mood booster.
I have a similar relationship with the man who often works the self-serve checkouts at Woolworths, to the point where I’m disappointed when he’s not there.
I don’t know his name either; I should ask.
One day when I said hello and asked how he was, he replied, “I’m fantastic; it’s my birthday today” he then asked me to guess how old he was (which I hate doing because I’m bad at guessing; it can go either way and you never want to guess someone as being older than they are!?). I wished him a Happy Birthday and a great day and returned to work.
These exchanges don’t seem like much, but they can make a bad day better and a good day great. We don’t know what others are going through, and we can make such a big difference to someone without even realising it.
Happy Friday all, and Up the Brumbies!
Loved this yarn!
So so true.