Hey guys! I just wanted to thank everyone who commented so far on the previous post! There are some wonderful tips about starting conversations with strangers (and non-strangers). And I love the encouragement! Seems like I'm not alone. :)
And by the way, Brooke, do you want to meet up at the HOW Conference?? I'd love to get together!
So I went to The Container Store after work yesterday to pick up a few things to organize my mess of a life, or at least my mess of a vanity. It was the final day for the 25% off printable coupon that was available on their site.
After nearly an hour of wandering the aisles, filling my cart, another shopper caught my eye. She walked over and said quietly, "Do you have one of these?" and held up the 25% off coupon. I told her I did and she mentioned how she printed a few extras, just in case. How sweet! I told her how I thought that was super nice of her to do and said how I usually print out copies and accidentally leave them on my printer. We chatted for a minute and she told me to "have fun" on my shopping spree. It was great!
I kept thinking how kind that woman is! I didn't even consider printing extras for other people, but hopefully I'll remember to do that next time.
I tried to continue my small talk quest with the cashier. She wasn't as receptive, but I gave it my best shot. At least she smiled and seemed to relax a bit after the not-so-friendly customer that she had checked out before me. I think with enough practice, I'll be a small-talk-machine by the time the conference rolls around!
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
17 comments:
That's great, good for you. I told about this on my blog and my challenge to try the same. I have some supporters too :) I haven't seen anyone today (just collegues, and I chat to them all the time and doesn't count ;-) but I'll try this week!
Good for you. I think like exercising every muscle, it will get stronger the more you do it. And what a kind gesture of that woman with the extra coupons! I'm going to have to remember to do that.
I thought this was a neat story I read today on another blog.
http://barbhogan.typepad.com/black_belt_scrapping/2009/02/herbert-.html
- Cesia.
I was a tour guide for 4 years, and the most difficult part of the job for everyone was learning how to mingle! We found the best way to teach the new guides was to send them in prepared with at least 3 open ended questions, and was sure to let them know that so long as they try they have successfully mingled! sometimes people just don't really want to talk haha.
That's great! And what a good idea about the coupon!
Thanks for the shout-out! I'd love to meet up at HOW... we have signed up for the conference but haven't booked our hotel/flights yet, but I will surely be in touch once we're 100% set to go. Actually, we'll be flying out of Philly, and you probably are, too -- maybe I'll catch ya' on the plane :-)
Brooke - Yay! Definitely email me when it gets closer! I'm flying out on a non-stop Southwest flight on Wednesday morning, so if you end up on that one, save me a seat! ;)
GOOD FOR YOU, Melissa! No matter how people react, it's the *being nice* that makes you feels good.
As someone who worked for years behind a register, I always try to be nice to the person behind the counter now. A good tip might be this: if you know the person in front of you was rude to or difficult with the cashier, throw in an extra nice comment or (better yet but kinda gossip-y) remark about how his/her behavior was uncalled for -- it shows the cashier that you're on their side and it might lighten the mood a little. I'm just saying.
Good luck!
This is a great adventure - I have a few people at work that don't even return my "hellos" in the hall. How do you combat that?!?
Christopher - I have that issue too. Even after seven years of working with the same people, a few still pretend they don't see me when we pass in the hall. I still try to give a friendly smile, just in case. But for the most part, I suppose I've given up on them.
Regarding the returning of "hellos" at work. I always say hello to everyone I pass in the hall, and was surprised that many do not respond. A few months ago, when I ran our "Deliberate Acts of Kindness" program, the act of greeting everyone was one of the suggested activities. It was fun to have those non-returners all of a sudden very open and friendly in the hallways. It was as if they never had considered it before, until someone pointed out that it was a kind thing to do!! I'm happy to report that most people have been converted, and now begin or return those exchanges! :)
Leslie, that's awesome!! That's just proof that people really are nice, they just need a tiny bit of encouragement to bring it out. :) That sounds like a really great program, and I'd love to hear more about it if you ever have a minute to drop me an email!
Congratulations! It is definitely a good thing to remember to do when the opportunity arises and definitely gets easier with practice. :)
Oh, Melissa, you should move to Sweden, it's anything but small talk friendly! Most Swedes are shy, quiet and reserved and will go to extreme measures to avoid talking to strangers. When I moved back here, after spending a year in the States, I missed small talk as much as I missed Reece's Peanutbutter Cups. But I've made it my mission in life to harass my fellow Swedes with the American way of elevator chatting. It's a tough job, but someone's got to do it. So keep trying over there, and I'll keep trying over here!
GASP!!! No Peanut Butter Cups?!?!?! Okay, I'd never make it in Sweden. :)
Excellent blog, nice presentation and contents. I am so proud to Vote and just now I voted for your blog in blogger choice awards. Keep it up and write more please. I invite your valuable visit and suggestions about my blog, http://businessvartha.blogspot.com
Please check your account in bloggerchoice awards to see my vote. I hope you are so kind to vote for my blog also
That woman sounds so awesome! I always always forget to bring my coupons with me that that's just so frustrating. She needs to follow me around when I shop, haha.
And good for you getting to talk to new people. It's something I've been working on too :)
~Amanda @ OneHappyPanda
Post a Comment