Contrary to popular belief, it's not all about you...

People are often outspoken when things go wrong. Whether its the newspaper boy that misses your doorstep, the contractor who doesn't do quality work, or the waitress who is inattentive, we generally let people know when we're not pleased. But ask yourself: How often do we (or I) acknowledge when things go right? Do you let people know when they've rendered good services? Or paid close attention to quality? I do. Call it "greasing the wheels"...call it stroking...call it whatever you like. My experience has been that when you acknowledge when people do well, they get recogntion, positive reinforcement--[pun completely unintential]--and work that much harder on your behalf.

For instance, I'm a regular at a local barbershop in our town. Now if you've never been to Black barber shop you should rent (or buy) "Barber Shop"--the shop talk is pretty close to what goes on. [By the way: Support your local minority-owned businesses!] Anyway, generally speaking, no one ever wants to sit in a new barber's chair. The new guy is usually very young, inexperienced, has no established clientele, and typically doesn't cut as well as the old pros. Now that's not universally true, of course, but anecdotal evidence bears this out...TRUST ME on this!--crooked lines on your forehead and razor burns on the neck don't lie! Turns out, however, that by patronizing a good (unknown), new barber and "pumpin' him up" when he does well, an interesting thing occurs. That new barber remembers who "pumps" them up, and who tips well. Getting pumped makes him feel good, and has the side effect of generating interest in more customers wanting to sit in his chair. Additionally, you might even get more attention and better service the next time you come in. Don't misunderstand, whether or not you "get" something is inconsequential. That you may have made a difference in someone's life...even slightly...even for just a moment...is priceless...

So if you happen to live in a town where the gas station doesn't gouge you for full service, and a young man (or lady) is hustling to pump your gas, clean your windshield, and check your oil, in the words of Steve Harvey, "Put ya' hands together...and Show ya' 'love... for (that service man)!'" Okay, so maybe you don't applaud at the gas station or in a restaurant. But then again, may you do. "Love" in this context could be something as simple as a little something extra in the tip, or as thorough as a letter of appreciation. You choose. It's the little things you do in life that let people know you appreciate and care about what it is that they do.

Who knows? You just might make someone's day special. As some wise person once told me, " You get more with honey than you get with vinegar!" but let's keep it real: Contrary to popular belief, it's not all about you.

Peace,
+THINKER