Today I went into a store for a few little things. The store is called Fiske's and it is one of the coolest, cutest stores I have ever been in. They sell crafts and stickers and stuffed animals and books and penny candy and lots of other cool little trinkets that I absolutely LOVE. If you don't know already, I am a sucker for stickers and office supplies and pens and stuff like that. So I was already excited just to walk in the store...
I picked up a few things (including some Blow-Pops...OK, when was the last time you had one of those?), and the nice woman at the counter bagged my items up. I got back into my car and put my paper bag on the car seat. As I looked down, I noticed something about the bag...can you see it?
It says Thank You. I know...not a big deal, but I looked closer and noticed that the "Thank You" was stamped on the bag. It didn't look like it was made in a factory or by a machine, either. I realized that the people at Fiske's probably stamp each individual bag at the store. It was a homemade Thank You bag! How cool is that?
For some reason, this little bag really made my day, because it was a little gesture that really made a difference. And even if I'm just crazy and the bags were pre-stamped in some giant warehouse, I'd like to believe someone somewhere thought to make the extra effort to put "Thank You" on the bag.
OK...so what's the message here? I guess it made me think of a couple of things:
-I really love small, independent, family-owned businesses like Fiske's. They just seem more homey and fun than the giant chain stores. It's even better when the business shows customers it cares with little gestures like the thank you bags.
-Saying thank you ROCKS! It's not just about the bag, or the store...I'm talking about how life's little gestures like saying thank you can really make a difference in someone's day. I try to thank people when they help me and when it fits the situation. Other little things that I notice: when I am walking down the street or down a hallway, and I pass by someone, I really love when someone smiles or says hello instead of looking down or pretending I'm not there. I know that some people have a different comfort level in social situations, and sometimes it's hard to even say hello...but yikes! I would much prefer to get a smile than get ignored, right?
Other little things like holding a door, helping someone carry heavy bags, stuff like that all counts and all matters. So if you do these little things out of habit, I think you rock! You might not notice it, but you probably make a lot of people happy throughout the day. So...THANKS! You deserve a thank you bag! :)
QUESTIONS FOR YOU: Do you have a favorite little store or place that rocks? Tell us about it! Also, what little things make you happy throughout the day?
It's funny, I was just thinking about the "hello" thing today! Last night my roommate and I took our bikes down to the Fort Wilderness Campground at Disney and rode for 2 hours. I like to go there because it's quiet, there are a lot of trees and about 13 miles of road where there really aren't that many cars. Plus, a lot of the campers put up some awesome decorations at their camp sites. It's so cool to see all the little details and personal stamps that people bring with them on their vacations.
ReplyDeleteThe other thing that is really nice, the part I was reflecting on today, is that everyone says hello to you. It's such a simple thing, but it's so awesome! We were just two chicks on fancy bikes, but to them, we were fellow campers. They smile, wave, cheer you on, say hello. I love it! And it is a big difference from riding in my own neighborhood where some kid threw a full water bottle at me as he drove by in his car. To him, I wasn't a fellow anyone. I was just a target. He and his buddy even stuck their heads out of the window to laugh at me as they sped past.
It's coming up on October and the fun, wacky Disney campers will be bringing out some of the best Halloween decorations you've ever seen. Meredith and I plan on making all of our roommates come biking with us so they can see all of it, too!
I have to agree. I don't like the uncomfortable feeling of walking past somebody and debating wether or not to say HI. I try to read their body language because I am one to always smile or say hello. It stinks when you say hello and they ignore you. Doesn't take much energy to say hello!!
ReplyDeleteI totally agree, ladies. Thanks for posting again, Laura...and thank you, Becky! Nice to see you here :)
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