Attention To Detail

Have you ever sat back and watched people? Just complete strangers. I find it interesting to observe how they handle news, how they treat other strangers, the way they interact with friends... the whole nine yards. Sometimes I go to a Starbucks (where I happen to be now) with my laptop and plug in my headphones, but keep the music off. You would not believe what people will say when they think no one is listening. These are not just casual comments. These are things that should never cross the lips of any human ever. Beyond their words, they always have some sort of habit. Having lived in the same small area all my life I have begun to recognize regulars and the patterns they have developed. 90% of them I have never met, and probably never will. Yet our paths cross all the time and I continue to observe them arrive at the same time, park in the same area, order the same drink, maybe even make the same terrible joke, and walk out the door to face the remainder of their day. Occasionally I find myself musing about what kind of a life they live, making up an entire story about who they are and why they treat people the way they do. Sometimes I actually find out their story and I have to say, I am rarely wrong. My main observation, however, is that the majority of people I see have absolutely no idea how much of an impact their actions have on everyone else's day. Say a man comes in and on his way smiles and holds the door open for a lady.  Now she's smiling and will in turn be more likely to treat the barista with the kindness and respect they most definitely deserve. Kind customers do wonders to improve your work day. Now say a customer comes in later on, but is having a terrible day. The barista (whose day hasn't been ruined by the previous customer) has the opportunity to turn around the foul mood of the patron who just walked in. It all causes a ripple effect. Had the man let the door slam in the lady's face, she probably would have been ticked off and given the barista attitude. After working hours  upon hours with customer after customer giving him or her attitude, the barista will have no desire to be kind to someone else having a bad day. And why should they? Sure it's their job, but if you're not feeling it, there isn't a thing on this earth that can force you to be genuinely kind to someone. Then everyones day is ruined. Too often people are focussed only on themselves. I can't fault them, we live in a self preserving society where every day we are taught to stop at nothing to succeed. Consider the most enjoyable friend you have. They're kind right? They don't ramble about themselves and their woes. Be like that person. Pay attention to little details. Remember those little details. Be kind and go about your life with patience. Don't be the one who gives attitude and ruins another persons day.