We’ve all been to a restaurant and had a great meal, served by a cranky waitress.  It can spoil a good time in nothing flat. She’s not paid as a conveyer of food but of something pleasant that adds to your experience.

How many of us have asked a friend or spouse or other loved one to do something for us--and gotten attitude?  Do you even want him to do anything for you at that point?  No, we’d (in most cases) rather do without, than be made to feel badly for having needs or for asking for help.

We forget that people have a choice.

We forget that what’s attractive about a person is how we feel in his/her presence.

And given a choice we’d rather be served by, congregate with and receive help from those who make us feel significant, worthy, special and so on.  When people sincerely smile as they do for us, we can’t help but feel cared for.

You want a raise?  Smile, give people the opportunity to feel good in your presence.

You want your children to want to be with you when they’re adults?  Teach them, support them and love them in a way that has your smile shine through.  Even though they’ll leave home, they’ll want to come back home because of how they feel when they’re with you.

Hmmm, I wonder, is it an oxymoron to even say, “service without a smile”?

RR