HELLO
There is something about looking a stranger in their eyes and having a conversation that makes me feel present. During the pandemic, I made more of an effort to acknowledge people I didn’t know, mostly in retail settings because that was the only in-person interaction I had at the time. I found it more often than not took people by surprise, but it was nice to hear that acknowledgement in return. I existed! As did they.
But as the world started circling back, my little pleasantries did too.
For some reason, during the 4th quarter of this year, it hit me again ad nauseam. One day I was at the papi store, and when the cook gave me my platter, a simple thank you turned into him thanking me because he hadn’t heard someone say that to him in a long time.
A couple of weeks ago I was at Chipotle, and the young kid (wow, I’m old enough to say that now) making my bowl could not make eye contact with me in sheepish way. It was the cutest thing ever, and I wanted to melt into a puddle.
At my job, one of our clients — someone I never really had an interaction with to begin with, would always randomly email me and say, “Danielle, I just wanted to reach out to say I hope you’re having a beautiful day today.” I would squeal in my seat with excitement, cursing myself for not emailing her first. (Now that I think about it, I must email her tomorrow!)
Whenever I’m at the thrift store, I can always count on an older women striking up a conversation with me about what’s in my cart or what I’m trying on. Always.
Even as the world rushes by, a simple 'thank you,' a smile, or a few kind words can hit harder than you expect. They make the world feel a little softer, more like a community than an individual going through the simulation alone. Honestly, I think I needed that reminder going into the New Year.
But as the world started circling back, my little pleasantries did too.
For some reason, during the 4th quarter of this year, it hit me again ad nauseam. One day I was at the papi store, and when the cook gave me my platter, a simple thank you turned into him thanking me because he hadn’t heard someone say that to him in a long time.
A couple of weeks ago I was at Chipotle, and the young kid (wow, I’m old enough to say that now) making my bowl could not make eye contact with me in sheepish way. It was the cutest thing ever, and I wanted to melt into a puddle.
At my job, one of our clients — someone I never really had an interaction with to begin with, would always randomly email me and say, “Danielle, I just wanted to reach out to say I hope you’re having a beautiful day today.” I would squeal in my seat with excitement, cursing myself for not emailing her first. (Now that I think about it, I must email her tomorrow!)
Whenever I’m at the thrift store, I can always count on an older women striking up a conversation with me about what’s in my cart or what I’m trying on. Always.
Even as the world rushes by, a simple 'thank you,' a smile, or a few kind words can hit harder than you expect. They make the world feel a little softer, more like a community than an individual going through the simulation alone. Honestly, I think I needed that reminder going into the New Year.