"Bringing out the human in people."

Discussion in 'The Village Square' started by Ronni, Sep 9, 2016.

  1. Ronni

    Ronni Hardy Maple

    Joined:
    Mar 30, 2013
    Messages:
    3,120
    Likes Received:
    3,567
    Location:
    Nashville Tennessee
    unnamed-2.jpg

    Dropped by my local Dailys for a pumpkin something for Paige. I started chatting with the gal there, to see if she could help me. When I expressed my disappointment on Paige's behalf that there was nothing, this sweet girl gave me a free iced latte and a HUGE bag of pumpkin spice creamers to compensate for not having anything yet, complete with this adorable pumpkin drawing on the bag! :D Recounting this episode to Paige because I thought she'd find it funny, and she said, "How do you have a way of bringing out the human in all service workers?"

    What a fascinating observation! It neve once occurred to me that I was trying to "bring out the human" in people when I find some point of connection, which is what I try and do with pretty much everyone I meet.

    I'm not trying to make this about me here, but I wanted to recount that story for context so that you understand my question.....

    How do YOU bring out the human in people? I would genuinely, honestly love to know. :heart:
     
    stratsmom and Frank like this.
  2. Loading...


  3. toni

    toni Mistress of Garden Junque Staff Member Moderator Plants Contributor

    Joined:
    Jan 7, 2006
    Messages:
    19,634
    Likes Received:
    5,059
    Location:
    North Central Texas, Zone 8a
    First I SMILE at them. People in retail have more than their share of grumps, grouches and just plain dismissive people who think it is beneath them to treat people serving them as equally human as they themselves are.
    Next I say something as simple as how are you today? And even if I sound a little weird I either say something nice about their appearance, name or even the job they are doing. If you really think about it you can come up with something related in your life that at least partially connects to what they are doing, put yourself in their place and treat them the way you would want to be treated. If you have kids, siblings or even done any babysitting you can relate to a cashier at a store, they have to take care of people who are hungry and grumpy, have a pain somewhere and are grumpy, need a nap and are grumpy, need to go to the bathroom and are grumpy, etc.

    Just about every store or eatery we go to we are remembered and get extra good service because they know we like them. And at eateries we tip well!!!
     
    stratsmom, donm, Frank and 1 other person like this.
  4. Frank

    Frank GardenStew Founder Staff Member Administrator

    Joined:
    Jan 25, 2005
    Messages:
    18,084
    Likes Received:
    2,170
    Location:
    Galway, Ireland
    In Ireland no matter who you are you always have a common topic, the weather. So to bring out the human in someone just complain about the rain or marvel at how the sun is splitting the stones.
     
    stratsmom likes this.
  5. Palustris

    Palustris Young Pine

    Joined:
    Jan 10, 2006
    Messages:
    1,543
    Likes Received:
    1,600
    Good humour and politeness win every time. Though I will say that when we moved here it was a bit of a culture shock. We moved from a part of the world where the snappy come back was part of everyone's life. Many of the best comedians in Britain came from that part of the world and Merseyside is renowned for it. Here when I said something to a person on the till it was met with a blank stare most of the time, a bit disconcerting when you are used to the good natured banter of a Scouser.
    I always used to teach the children that a smile and a please and thank you got one far more than a scowl and no manners.
     
    stratsmom likes this.
  6. stratsmom

    stratsmom Flower Fanatic

    Joined:
    Aug 23, 2006
    Messages:
    4,086
    Likes Received:
    700
    Location:
    Southern Oregon
    I agree, kindness and friendly-ness go a long way :) At one time we had a local restaurant that we ate at very frequently. They were always so nice to us. Later, I worked with a woman whose son happened to work at this very restaurant. She told me that they used to fight to see who got to wait on us because they all liked us so much. That about melted my heart :) somewhere I read a thing that said to be nice to people because we are all fighting some kind of battle and we don't know what that other person is dealing with :( I think that is true and good to keep in mind.
     
    Frank and toni like this.

Share This Page