Last week, I watched a young guy at the coffee shop make the barista's entire day. Not with a big tip or elaborate compliment, just a genuine "thank you so much" and eye contact that said he actually saw her as a person, not just a caffeine dispenser. The barista's shoulders relaxed, her smile turned real, and suddenly the whole atmosphere shifted.
We've all gone to the dark place at least once, where we believe the person serving us in a restaurant has forgotten-or worse!-is purposely avoiding us. How else can I explain my perpetually empty glass, or that they haven't deposited the bill even though they know I'm going to a show after dinner? Their prolonged absence is more likely unintentional-because the restaurant is overbooked and understaffed or the server is also juggling a table of 20. Or maybe, like me, they're having a bad day.
