Last night was a busy one at work, as per usual. Though I love my job and everyone I work with, often times the stresses of waitressing cause tears on a nightly basis. Last night began like they all do, slow, then started to pick up and all of the sudden I was triple sat. Being triple sat is a waitresses worst nightmare, because all of your tables need everything at the same time and that is physically impossible.
I rolled my eyes, and proceeded to check out my newly sat customers. My party of seven had four little girls at the table, which triggered another eye roll and groan, because I hate waiting on children. Before you write me off as a total bitch, I have had forks thrown at me by kids, need I say more? So I mustered up my best fake smile, and went over to the table to introduce myself and take a drink order.
Upon asking the girls what they wanted to drink, each of them said "Could I have a shirley temple please?" And when I replied with "Sure," they all said "thank you so much!" I thought to myself, huh, what a polite group of little girls! It was so refreshing to see kids who were not crushing up oyster crackers, ripping sugar packets, and whining to me. I smiled as I walked away because of how adorable they were.
A while later I finally got two minutes to go to the bathroom in between picking up meals, so I went to the bathroom and stood in line, funny enough, behind the little girls from my table. A stall opens up, and the oldest girl turns to me and says "Do you want to go in front of us?" My jaw dropped, I could not believe this little 4th grader was asking me if I wanted to cut her in line because she knew how busy I was. I immediately gushed and told them they were the sweetest, most polite children I had ever waited on, and they thanked me and giggled.
I went over to the parents while the girls were still in the bathroom and I told them how amazing their girls were. I told them what they did in the bathroom and that I have never encountered such smart and sweet kids. The parents were flattered and thanked me so much. After dessert I went over and they thanked me, and I said they were the ones deserving of the thanks. I told them they are by far the nicest table I had waited on all summer, and that most customers make me cry. One of the girls goes, "That's so rude, you are the best waitress ever!" And then they all took turns saying how they loved me and how I was the best waitress they've ever had.
They adorably asked me if I would take them to the piano so they could sing "Let it Go", so I obviously did and they told me they are going into 3rd, 4th and 5th grade. They killed the song, and I met them after and told them how great they did, they all gave me a huge hug and said "thank you for being the best waitress in the whole world!" I could not stop smiling and hugged them all, wishing them luck in school. The mom came up to me, gave me a hug and a kiss, thanked me, and said "hang in there kid," while slipping me a generous tip.
But honestly, the money didn't even matter to me. The kindness this table emulated was enough to make my night. I couldn't help but wonder what the world would be like if everyone was as sweet as these 4 little girls. They were just so filled with happiness and love, and they shared that with me which was so special. I raved about them all night, and I honestly don't think I will ever forget them.
While it was obviously nice to hear their praises, it was just a breath of fresh air. People in general, not just customers, are so easy to criticize and judge, instead of treating people decently. It's sad that a group of kids can understand human decency better than most adults. But it gave me hope that there is still good in the world, which is sometimes really hard to find.
I learned a lot from these kids. I want to spread more kindness and compliments, because I love how great it made me feel and I think everyone deserves to feel that way. It's crazy how the smallest acts of kindness can change someone's day.
How can you spread more kindness?
Love Always,
Olivia Jane
I rolled my eyes, and proceeded to check out my newly sat customers. My party of seven had four little girls at the table, which triggered another eye roll and groan, because I hate waiting on children. Before you write me off as a total bitch, I have had forks thrown at me by kids, need I say more? So I mustered up my best fake smile, and went over to the table to introduce myself and take a drink order.
Upon asking the girls what they wanted to drink, each of them said "Could I have a shirley temple please?" And when I replied with "Sure," they all said "thank you so much!" I thought to myself, huh, what a polite group of little girls! It was so refreshing to see kids who were not crushing up oyster crackers, ripping sugar packets, and whining to me. I smiled as I walked away because of how adorable they were.
A while later I finally got two minutes to go to the bathroom in between picking up meals, so I went to the bathroom and stood in line, funny enough, behind the little girls from my table. A stall opens up, and the oldest girl turns to me and says "Do you want to go in front of us?" My jaw dropped, I could not believe this little 4th grader was asking me if I wanted to cut her in line because she knew how busy I was. I immediately gushed and told them they were the sweetest, most polite children I had ever waited on, and they thanked me and giggled.
I went over to the parents while the girls were still in the bathroom and I told them how amazing their girls were. I told them what they did in the bathroom and that I have never encountered such smart and sweet kids. The parents were flattered and thanked me so much. After dessert I went over and they thanked me, and I said they were the ones deserving of the thanks. I told them they are by far the nicest table I had waited on all summer, and that most customers make me cry. One of the girls goes, "That's so rude, you are the best waitress ever!" And then they all took turns saying how they loved me and how I was the best waitress they've ever had.
They adorably asked me if I would take them to the piano so they could sing "Let it Go", so I obviously did and they told me they are going into 3rd, 4th and 5th grade. They killed the song, and I met them after and told them how great they did, they all gave me a huge hug and said "thank you for being the best waitress in the whole world!" I could not stop smiling and hugged them all, wishing them luck in school. The mom came up to me, gave me a hug and a kiss, thanked me, and said "hang in there kid," while slipping me a generous tip.
But honestly, the money didn't even matter to me. The kindness this table emulated was enough to make my night. I couldn't help but wonder what the world would be like if everyone was as sweet as these 4 little girls. They were just so filled with happiness and love, and they shared that with me which was so special. I raved about them all night, and I honestly don't think I will ever forget them.
While it was obviously nice to hear their praises, it was just a breath of fresh air. People in general, not just customers, are so easy to criticize and judge, instead of treating people decently. It's sad that a group of kids can understand human decency better than most adults. But it gave me hope that there is still good in the world, which is sometimes really hard to find.
I learned a lot from these kids. I want to spread more kindness and compliments, because I love how great it made me feel and I think everyone deserves to feel that way. It's crazy how the smallest acts of kindness can change someone's day.
How can you spread more kindness?
Love Always,
Olivia Jane
RSS Feed
