Attitudes — everyone has them. I change mine frequently,
but I notice some people keep the same one day in and day out
while others change theirs hourly.
I think attitudes can change with the weather or even with
how you feel when you start your day. I also think attitudes
change based upon interacting with others. I know if I encounter
someone with a bad attitude, I can develop one of the same.
An example would be when meeting a waiter or waitress. If I
am greeted with a smile or cheerful statement, the encounter
is off to a good start and will likely end with a generous
tip for my server. If a waitperson is snappy or displays signs
of having a bad day, and it reflects when they address me,
their tip will also reflect that treatment. I have even been
known to ask for a different server or leave a restaurant if
that was not possible.
So — I’ve learned as I’m
sure many readers have, an encounter with someone sporting
a bad attitude can
and often does spoil an event. On the other hand a person
with a bright, cheerful smile and friendly greeting can
make an
event, especially a meal, enjoyable. I have also learned
to offer a friendly attitude and happy face to those who
make
me happy. I just like to return the good feeling.
Restaurants
are not the only place a good attitude pays off. Any place
a person is expected to help you; hardware
store,
clothing store, meat market or perhaps a jewelry store,a
bright, cheerful person with a smiley face can make any
experience better. I just won’t do business with a store of any
kind if I meet up with an employee who acts as if they are
doing me a favor by waiting on me. I have left check out counters
where a snappy person, who acts as if they hate their job,
has given me the feeling I’m troubling them. I surely
wouldn’t want to force them to take my money and
heaven forbid ask them to make change. I think it is
much easier
to just shop somewhere else.
I
mentioned in last week’s “As I See it,” you
can often find a smiling face and cheerful greeting
at family operated stores.
Even though your purchase may cost a few cents more, it is
probably more appreciated. When banking, I like to do business
where the tellers know me and act as if they are happy to serve
me. I really like it when they call me by name then smile and
welcome me. Somehow this type of greeting makes me feel like
my business is important to them. I have continued to bank
at financial locations because of their friendly attitudes
and of course the plate of cookies or fresh popcorn helps to
draw me in.
Speaking of money and financial transactions, credit card companies
are the worst. As I see it, they are promoting a return to
the actions that caused so many people heartache. An example:
the pre-approved credit cards arriving from institutions you
never heard of. My credit card company sent me a check I could
write for $ 10,000 and announced the sum would be interest
free until next year. The fine print revealed when the interest
charge is levied next year it will equal two or three times
more than what I could obtain locally.
Currently,
you can buy cars and other big ticket items with a very small
down payment and payments
stretched
over many
years. Isn’t this how our recession started? If you are
considering one of these deals because it’s the only
way you can afford to get something — you really can’t
afford it at all.
It seems to me the big overhaul of the credit card companies
ordered by the government is little more than a joke. Sad to
say, the joke is on the public. I recently received notice
one of my credit cards was changing. When I called to inquire,
they said I would appreciate an unlimited line of credit that
I could use worldwide. I would be sent a new card which would
have a very small interest charge for the first 90 days. I
told them I did not want to have my card changed, but they
went on to explain in detail why I could not afford to pass
up such a deal. When I finally suggested they could just cancel
my card, they asked me to hold and after a very short time
came back on and told me I could continue using my current
card indefinitely.
Is it any wonder our economy is experiencing a slow recovery?