It’s Nice to Be a Nice Person

I am still trying to get my unpublished book The Split Second:  In Consideration of Others or Look Up from the Phone published. I let myself get beleaguered with negative feelings and then, I “get back on the horse.” So, I am back trying to get a literary agent. I have not given up whatsoever-just trying at times. I offer my thanks to all who have been so supportive.

Not long ago, I went to a local dry cleaner where I have always found the manager and staff members exceedingly kind and extremely professional. As usual, I was picking up shirts I had left previously to be cleaned and dropping off other shirts to be cleaned. On this occasion, I had misplaced my claim slip and was ready to offer mea culpas for my carelessness.

The very gentlemanly manager started to take care of my business that day. I informed him that I had no claim slip showing some slight embarrassment. He let me know it was not a serious matter and then said, “I think I know your name.”  I looked at him curiously. He said, “Blake?” I let him know he was right and commented how impressed I was that he would remember my name.

He said to me, “In this business, you remember the names of the very nice people and the names of the opposite of those folks.” For a moment, I wondered in which group I was. I let him know that thought. He let me know that he felt I was in the first group. This warmed my heart. It shows what I try to impart in “The Split Second.” I try to treat everyone I meet in life with decency, respect, and kindness.

I refuse to be one of those who would treat this dry cleaner manager with disdain or as someone who is below me. I have always enjoyed going into this business and sharing kind words or even laughing or joking around with the manager and/or other staff members. I hope I can say something that may make their day a little happier each time I walk into this and other businesses.  I think it can be nice if each one of us “makes the day” of someone else in any walk of life. It does not make me a superior person by any means. According to the manager of this dry cleaner, it makes me a nice guy, and I will wear that badge anytime.