Almost every blog post on Working Naked has something to do with improving the way you work from home, growing your business or making your business run more smoothly. Today’s post isn’t so much about running your business as it is about dealing with others who run a business.
Yesterday I picked up a gift I’d ordered from one of my favorite stationery stores. I looked at the order to make sure my friend’s name was spelled right and told the owner of the store how much I liked the gift. She thanked me several times for being nice to her.
Was she serious? I didn’t give her a standing ovation, a high five or even a pat on the back. All I did was thank her for ordering the right gift. She explained that during most of this holiday season she’s had to deal with rude customers every day.
Apparently this woman isn’t alone. This morning when I picked up my mail from my office (actually my local UPS Store that I use as my mailing address), I found a magazine that someone had put in my mailbox by mistake.
When I handed the magazine to the manager, she told me she misfiled it because the magazine owner’s name and mine both start with K. Then she told me she wouldn’t get confused again because I’m the nice box holder and he’s mean all of the time.
What’s the deal? How hard is it to be respectful to salespeople and others whose job it is to help us (at least most of the time)? We’re all busy and when we’re in a hurry, common courtesy can be the last thing on our mind. But it shouldn’t be.
The next time you’re checking out at the office supply store, picking up something for a client, or even asking someone for directions when your GPS won’t talk to you, keep in mind that the way you act can affect someone else.
If you’re mean and nasty, you can ruin someone’s day in an instant. If you’re nice and sympathetic, you can make that person’s day. After all, it is the season to be jolly…or at least a bit friendlier.
With that in mind, happy holidays!
