A Shocking Comment

December 12/15

Just thirteen sleeps to Christmas :)

It's funny how the whole number of sleeps till Christmas used to be so important and now with my kids being older it just doesn't have the same ring as it used too.

But this post isn't about sleeps till Christmas or even  Christmas for that matter.  No, it's about a very simple exchange I had last night with the guy working the cash counter at the Petro Canada station near the Kanata Centrum.

On my way home from work I stopped to get my Lotto Max ticket for the month, I buy one at the start of each month playing the birthday's for myself and the kids. seeing as how I forgot to get it last Friday but luckily my numbers didn't win last week.

So I went in and filled out the ticket and got in line. Wasn't super busy with only one person in front of me and after a moment a couple more came in from pumping gas to settle up as well. My turn came and as I handed the cashier my lotto form he asked which pump was mine so he could key in that cost as well, I said I didn't have any as I'd filled up yesterday and just needed my Lotto Max so I could win and retire to play golf year round. he laughed and said that sounded like a plan.

So far not much of an encounter but this is where it gets interesting...

As he moved towards the lotto machine I tapped the counter and said "oh yeah, can I get a quick pick with encore for Saturday's 6/49 and the same for the Lottario, please and thank you".

He printed them out and as he handed them to me he said these words "You don't have to say please and thank you"

I hesitated briefly before replying "Of course I do"

He smiled and said service people don't get told please or thank you.

I looked at him and said "everyone deserves a please and thank you, my grandfather raised me to show people some common courtesy, and I'd done the same with my own son"  "So thank you"

He just looked at me and then suddenly smiled and said "You are more than welcome and Happy Holiday's"

As I walked out the door I was happy to hear the lady who had been behind me in line say "Thank you Mitch" after reading his name tag.

We all deserve some courtesy when dealing with one another. The most simplest please or thank you can mean the world to someone having a rough day, making them feel as if all is not a lost battle.

I don't think my simple exchange was earth shattering but more a reflection of how I like to treat people and hopefully am treated in return.  It was something I learned from my grandfather during my many visits to his house over summer and Christmas holiday's and something I've tried really hard to pass along to my son as well as those young gentlemen I've been fortunate enough to coach over the last few years.

No matter one's station in life we all deserve that courtesy and I have to admit my exchange last night reminded me that something as simple as saying please can make someone smile and feel like they are pretty damn special.

So next time you've got the chance, remember to say something nice and take a moment to watch the impact those simple words have on the person you've spoken them too.