I can't avoid her scowl
I can choose my reaction
maybe with enough kindness
handing out my please and thank you's
suddenly one day she'll surprise me
by looking into my eyes
acknowledging me
and
smiling
Nature, Writing, Photography - Celebrating the Positive
Sunday, February 19, 2012
Deli Lady - Spreading the Love Challenge
It's bad timing to go to the grocery store over a holiday weekend in our ski resort town, but I'm expecting guests tomorrow so I had to brave the crowds. Recently, the deli counter began a new practice of slicing all lunch meats to order. The to-order slicing takes an incredible amount of time, and the woman who usually provides the service is always in a bad mood. She reminds me of the Soup Nazi on Seinfeld: never smiling, avoiding eye contact, barely acknowledging the customer's presence. People waiting often raise their eyebrows at each other. In a way, her bad mood amuses the rest of us. Lately, I've been smiling broadly at her, thanking her profusely, and sending her positive vibes. Today, I mentally concentrated on sending her hopes for finding One Good Thing. I figure her problems must be much worse than waiting for sandwich meat!
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Smiling is always good. Keep on trying.
ReplyDeleteGreetings,
Filip
awww. this was incredibly sweet! i really hope she will feel your goodness shining forth for her.
ReplyDeleteI'm laughing Barb as I know of folks that I continually over the course of a week come up against like the deli lady. Perhaps I should try Spreading the Love. Love that scowl on that image too. Carol
ReplyDeleteI so understand your effort. I grumbled about a grouchy toll taker at the Golden Gate Bridge for several years. Finally, realized I might be grumpy, too, standing in the middle of traffic every day collecting quarters on a cold, cold bridge. Never did get a smile or a hello, though.
ReplyDeleteNo slice for you!!!! Had to smile at the Seinfeld reference!
ReplyDeleteA few years ago there was a woman I came into contact with regularly who never smiled or acknowledged me. I made it a personal goal to get through her sharp exterior and the day she finally smiled at me I felt like cheering!
ReplyDeleteYou're right to treat her with kindness! Sounds as if she needs a big hug.
ReplyDeleteIt's tough sending positivity to people like that, so kudos to you for spreading the love!
ReplyDeleteShe sounds like a challenge... and I bet, with perseverance, you'll win. :))
ReplyDeleteyes the meat nazi! loved that episode! You remember my post about making a George nook under my desk...lol I would love to do that today and just take a nap...but I will spread the love at work since...there are a couple of women that love to cause friction....so glad I won't allow all that negative into my soul. I just spread the love and bought myslef a frozen chocolate yoguart! YUMMMMM my mouth is very happy! NO ONE can spoil my day! even though I have to work on a holiday!
ReplyDeleteOur delis do that, here. I didn't realize they all didn't.
ReplyDeleteIf anyone can make her smile, you can, Barb.
I would love to know her story, though, wouldn't you?
At the opposite end of the scale, last summer we had about 6 months work on the highway to Penticton, - a dusty dirty journey and very frustrating with long waits - I took a picture of one of the flagmen who never failed to wave at each and every car, with a large smile for all the occupants. Goodness only knows how many people he cheered, - and I imagine he is somewhere on a highway now, doing the same thing. Keep smiling, Barb.
ReplyDeleteOh Barb, I remember the soup nazi, you had me laughing and also reminded me of something that happened to me when I was a young girl. I used to frequent a store in Chicago that was run by a very crabby old man. I couldn't understand why he was always so cranky. Then my mother told me that "You can catch more flies with honey than vinegar". After that I always smiled and was extra sweet to him. I'll be darned if he didn't start being nicer to me. That lesson has stayed with me all of these years. And now I do take into consideration what someone may be going through. Although there are those that are just plain old grouchy!! Love Di ♥
ReplyDeleteSmiles will get 'em every time!
ReplyDeleteLove the lichen! :)
I love that you keep on trying and I won't be surprised if one day you let us know that it worked. But even if it doesn't, as you say, you are not letting her mood get you down.
ReplyDeleteWhat a nice challenge this is for exercising your talent!
Yet another important reminder - not only to smile at the grouchies but to smile in general. I love your story.
ReplyDeleteUplifting endeavor- you are spreading the love just by reminding us all to spread the love...even or maybe especially to the grouchy people. Thanks for taking time to stop by-I appreciate your love-<3
ReplyDeleteBeautiful poem Barb! Glad you are "Spreading the Love"
ReplyDeleteThat's beautiful, keep smiling! :-)
ReplyDelete