I have written often about the power of a smile to make a difference and, if I were writing a book on what it takes to make a difference in this world, step one would be — it begins with a smile.
Yesterday, I went to the grocery store to buy some things for a Canada Day dinner I was preparing for my daughter, her boyfriend and some friends. At the deli counter, the woman behind the counter was efficient and courteous. But she didn’t smile. Don’t get me wrong. She said all the right things. “What can I get you?” “Will there be anything else?” “Have a nice day.”… But, there was no smile. I felt, cheated. Unseen. As if, she was going through the motions, being in service, but not ‘of service’. Not connected to the act of ensuring every customer had a good experience shopping there.
At the check out it was a different story. The young woman ringing through the groceries was also efficient and courteous — and she smiled. Her smile made all the difference. The man in front of me left with a smile, and the man behind me, whom I let go before me as he only had two items to my several, also left smiling. As did I. And we were smiling because the cashier shared her smiles and good spirits generously and effortlessly. “What are you doing this Canada Day,” she asked the man in front of me. And he told her about the BBQ he was hosting with his wife for his 75-year-old mother whose birthday coincides with Canada’s Birthday. “Wish her Happy Birthday from me too!” she asked him as he collected his bag and took his change.
When it was my turn, she commented on my letting the man behind me go through first. “That was nice,” she said.
It is the fact she was present, paying attention and connecting with the customers through her smile that made all the difference.
On Friday, I met a girlfriend for a movie. As I stood in line to purchase popcorn (I can’t go to a movie without it even though I only eat a few handfuls — it is so part of the ritual!), a man in the line next to me looked at me and said, “I know you. You work at the shelter. You taught me a course and helped me with my speech.” I remembered him immediately and chatted about those days in his life when he found himself, homeless, jobless, penniless and lost.
“I’m doing great now,” he told me. He’s had a good job for the past two years, rents an apartment in a neighbourhood he likes and is saving for a trip.
We laughed and smiled and when I reached the counter and ordered my popcorn and water the young man behind the counter commented on how ‘happy’ I was. “I have no reason not to be happy,” I told him.”I’m meeting one of my best friends for a movie, it’s a long weekend and the sun is shining.”
We joked and chatted and as I took my goodies he invited me to come back, anytime. “It’s nice to see someone smile. You make me feel happy too!”
Try it. Spend today sharing smiles where ever you go. Consciously pay attention, connect with the people around you and see what a difference smiling makes in your day and the world around you.
Making a difference in the world is easy when we SMILE!
Dare Boldly 
Yep ,smiles are powerful!
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I’ve read that a person should smile when answering the phone as it alters the voice and makes it sound welcoming. Smiling here!
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I’ve read that somewhere too Susan — and I believe it’s true. It makes a difference. Smiling here too!
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I am always smiling and have always been like that goes back to when I was a child and was picked on and bullied I would smile brightly and say to the bully “whatever” it helped me get through a day and now well I am just more or less happy most of the time in fact if I am not happy you know something is really wrong…………..now onto checkout operators my eldest daughter is one and she is always happy and cheerful even when she is a foul mood and the customers never know she is not in a happy mood………
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We share that in common Jo-Anne — smiling became a habit to me as a little girl. It is my nature, and in my family of origin, smiling kept me safe. I smile know from habit — except as well — my smile comes from my heart 🙂 Hugs
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Today every time I smile, I will think of you and know that I am making a difference. This post is so true and something any of us can do to make a difference in not only our own lives but others around us
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How lovely Fi! Making a difference by smiling is a great difference to make. your ripple is felt all the way around globe!
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I often wonder about smiles, some days it feels like I’m not able to manage even the smallest grin but I suppose my nickname in Kenya (Chebeibei) – the smiling girl must say something. I realised that if I smiled I could make other people happier and that in turn did help me feel better. So even if things are darker than ever, I try to smile because the reflection of someone elses smile back at me really can make all the difference I might need to get through that day.
Wise reflections as always Louise, hope you had a fantastic Canada Day meal and celebrations. As a Brit it’s okay to be happy for Canada right?! :-p
Take care lovely!
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Wow Laura — that is a powerful nickname. How astute you are to know that someone’s smile back at you is inspired by your smile first. Reciprocity in action! And yes, my Canada day was wonderful!
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I agree 100%. Once, several months ago, I conducted a personal social study on this very thing. I decided that I would smile with every interaction and I watched as it transformed the tired and somewhat grumpy counter person at the gas station and seemed to lift burdens from countless others throughout the day – literal face expression changes occured. It was amazing!
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How cool Diana! And I love how both sides of the relationship were transformed!
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