Saturday, January 22, 2011

It's my pleasure!

I had an unusual fast food dining experience this week.  My day had not gone particularly well and I felt like some greasy goodness might lift my mood.

As I walked up to the counter, a number of smiling teenagers were waiting, almost eagerly it seemed, to take my order.  The young woman I approached smiled even bigger when she greeted me and she continued to smile brightly while I decided what I wanted.  I thanked her as she handed me my drink and she replied, "It's my pleasure."

Simultaneously, a smiling young man walked behind her with a tray and called out my first name.  I waved my hand to catch his attention and thanked him as he gave me my food.  He too replied, "It's my pleasure."

When was the last time you heard a teenager say "it's my pleasure"?  Seriously, when was the last time you heard anyone say "it's my pleasure"?  Has it ever happened?  For a moment I wondered if I had been transported to a 2011 version of Stepford, CT that featured adolescents instead of wives.

But these teens were not robotic fast food workers.  They genuinely meant what they said -- I could see the sincerity in their smiles and hear it in their voices.  What a contrast to the majority of sullen fast food workers who appear to be more interested in chatting with their friends than waiting on customers.

"It's my pleasure."

No Chick-fil-A, thank you.  The pleasure was all mine.  : )

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