What Makes People DO These Things?
Posted on November 12, 2007 - Filed Under Got Me Thinking, Tangents, Thank You
I know what you are thinking - that this is just going to be another long-winded rant about some evil thing that somebody did to me or something similar that is just all too common a sight on the blogs and internets these days. But, surprise, - it isn’t. This is a little post to just wonder out loud what makes people do the nice little (or big, for that matter) things they do.
Every so often, I’ll be just plodding along on my own little treadmill of the rat race, and someone will do or say just about the nicest thing and it catches me off guard so much that I get a reaction of tears - happy tears, that is. It isn’t always a big thing, sometimes it is just small - like someone going out of their way to say thank you in a situation where it normally wouldn’t be expected, like a customer to a bagger at a grocery story. It just really gets me thinking.
We all too often see and understand that when someone is angry or feels cheated or disappointed, they are quick to action to voice their displeasure. But what is the impetus when someone just out of the blue does something so sweet that it totally rocks your world? I mean, we all would benefit from being civil to each other all of the time, but what makes that customer go out of her way to make sure the bagger knows that their service was appreciated? Most people would just take their bags and be on their way, expecting the bagger to tell her to have a nice day. So is she just happy all the time? Is she thankful all the time? Did she just win the lottery? I doubt any of those are true. We all have some sadness in life and we each take things for granted quite often; none of us are perfect. As far as the lottery goes, I’m just assuming, based on odds, that that wasn’t responsible for the customer’s attitude either.
For the record, I always now thank the bagger at the grocery store. Often times we find ourselves easily chatting with the cashier but the bagger does a thankless, job so now I make it a priority to say “Oh, thank you for bagging for me!” I figured, I always remember to tell them whether I want plastic or paper (although now I bring my own bags) so it shouldn’t be so hard to also remember to say a little thank you. It may not mean much to many of them but once in a while I bet it means something to one of them.
Do you ever make a point to do something small like this? If you do, what is it and what prompted you to do it?
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13 Responses to “What Makes People DO These Things?”
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I do that all the time.I don’t know what actually got me started on it.I have been doing it for years.I guess I just like to polite.Most people do like it and I figure it won’t kill me to say thank you to someone after they do something nice for me.
Good point, Kaylee!
[…] The Tim wrote an interesting post today onHere’s a quick excerptDid she just win the lottery? I doubt any of those are true. We all have some sadness in life and we each take things for granted quite often; none of us are perfect. As far as the lottery goes, I’m just assuming, based on odds, … […]
I try to do things like this as much as I can.
Why do I do it? I guess because I actually WAS a checkout chick 6 years (while at high school and university), and I know it can be a thankless job. Because of that experience, I have a greater respect for people who work in retail. I thank them, because I may be one of the only people who bother to do so during their shift. So I like to make them feel like their work is appreciated. Eventually it became somewhat of a habit for me, and extended to other people and situations, not just people working in retail.
Of course there are days when I don’t do as many nice little things as I should, but I do my best.
I’m sure we all have days when we are better than others but the fact that we try to squeeze it in is good and every little bit helps, right?
I always ALWAYS thank the bagger .. And if I’m not busy watching the groceries being rang up, or watching the child, or paying for said groceries, I’ll even help bag. But I always thank the kid *that’s what they are* that bags. And why? Because you’re supposed to! It’s the nice thing to do, it’s being polite.
Oh, I agree with you, Ms. Red! It’s funny though how many people I see who do NOT do that. So many that I think sometimes the baggers are shocked when I do thank them. Oh well. I also think this can be applied in lots of other instances, the bagger thing is just one example of many I could think of.
If someone holds a door for me, I’ll gladly thank em and flash ‘em a smile. And I hate when folks dont thank ME for holding a door. If they dont, I usually say reallly loudly, “you’re welllllcome! i wasn’t holding this door for my heaaaaalth!”
Oooo - I hate it when people don’t say thank you for that also, especially when you really went out of your way to hold the door for them or waited an extra long time for them, then they just waltz through like the Queen (or King) of Sheba. I feel like smacking them and saying, “Hey I wasn’t put on this planet to serve YOU, ya know!” Oops - I’m getting off topic here. LOL.
I do it regardless of how small or large the gesture. My parents taught me to always be thankful and show my appreciation. It’s something I’m teaching my daughter alsoSure it’s a persons “job” but we all need to be appreciated.
So true, Opal. Good point - we all have jobs but we do all need to be appreciated too. I think that goes along with a human’s natural need for acceptance and a sense of belonging. I’m going to try and find many more situations to thank people in.
That’s funny you should mention the grocery bagger… we shop at a store that is no frills, which means you bag your own groceries. And now that you mention it I don’t usually thank myself…Ha ha!
Seriously though, I do try to thank people because I think that everyone deserves to be appreciated. I used to work in fast food I know how people can be!
Great post Teeni, it’s a good get you thinking post.
Thanks, Kami - oh by the way - been using your lovely soap - it smells so wonderful! I come out of the shower all hungry for breakfast!
And you should thank yourself - I bet you do a great job bagging! 
I always try to be polite to waiters and waitresses especially. I know how hard it must be to serve the general public and keep a pleasant attitude. There are so many rude people these days. I deal with people on the phone all day and at least when I hang up I can say what’s really on my mind.
Oh, Paige - too funny. I did a very short stint in telesales and I know what you mean about saying what is on your mind once you hang up. I did have some very lovely customers as well though. But good point about waiters and waitresses. A lot of them do work very hard and don’t get a lot for their efforts unless they get a good tip. But a friendly, pleasant customer probably helps make their day better too!
Yes, I do and I am so pleased to read that there are others like us out there judging by the comments. It’s truly heartwarming.
I used to work in a shop/store and when I left that job a lot of regular customers asked for me and said they missed the fact I sometimes had their regular products on hand so they could get their stuff, pay and go. I got a lot of people in the store in their way to work in the morning. They missed my cheery smile apparently.
I always thank the bagger, the door opener, the greeter, the person who goes out of their way to say ‘hi’ when they serve me in a store.
What a lovely post, Teeni!
Thanks, Diane! It just takes so little effort, doesn’t it? And that little gesture can mean so much to someone.
THAT was a great post Teeni! I noticed that many of we readers (including your esteemed self) used to be in the service industry or at least were serving the public in some way.
YES I always thank the bag person, or who ever is doing something for me…
Including, I ALWAYS thank the bus boy or girl in a restaurant..they TOO have thankless jobs and are often overlooked.
I am impressed at so many younger people who are so polite(including our own little Kaylee)
I had always thought that being polite was slowly dwindling with each generation!
Well done!
I also thought that the manners were dwindling with the generations so it’s nice to see young people being appreciative.
Aww, this is so nice of you guys. Everyone always talks about all the bad in the world but it’s so nice when we think of things and people like this and remember to remember them, thank them, respect them and be nice to them.
I just wrote a post about some of the kindnesses that have been shown to me by relative strangers and I’m just overwhelmed every time I think of how nice people can be.
To you Teeni and to your commenters here - Thank you for being such kind people. That’s what helps make the world go round.
Much love and peace to all.
~ RubyShooZ ~
Hi Ms. Shoooooz (I love how Ms. Red calls you that so I’m gonna copy her, hope she doesn’t mind)!! I know what you mean about being overwhelmed by those kindnesses. It’s funny when you do stop to think of them they just seem to multiply. Anyway, it’s good to see you out and about. I hope you are feeling well. Of course, I’ll be by to check out your post and I may bring a few friends with me!
Much love and peace right back at ya!
Of course I dont mind, silly :]
Im just glad to see MsShoooooz out visiting. She’s one of the good ones. I appreciate her kindness.
And yours, too, MsTeeni!
You always make me smile, Ms. Red. I love ya! Just had to throw it out there so you’d never have to question it!
I always thank my bagger and my waiter or waitress. I use to do both of those jobs. Theya re hard work and its nice to hear thankyou now and again.
Wow - lots of my blogging buddies have held these types of jobs. That’s a neat little thing to have in common.