Tuesday, August 15, 2006

It's nice to be wanted

I was reminded today of how social we are as humans. I’ve been pretty much dividing my time between the cadaver lab and studies, and my interactions with the outside world have been mostly limited to those with study partners. As a consequence, I haven't frequented my favorite hole-in-the-wall resturant in quite some time. So today, when I walked in, I was mostly happy just to be having lunch. But I was actually touched when the proprietress greeted me with "we haven't seen you in a long time, where have you been?"

It got me thinking how much effect we have on others without realizing it. She may have been merely making conversation, but when we got to talking about her daughter, and how both she and I are studying for a living at present, the thought occurred to me that maybe she was actually glad to see me. Maybe she did want, as I do and most of us probably do, some small island of constancy in an ever changing world.

Maybe I was thinking too hard about a common courtesy, but even a common courtesy is a bright spot in a harried life.

2 comments:

Ryann said...

As someone who works in the service industry, I can say that she really was glad to see you. Regular customers are a joy, especially the nice ones (and those who tip well ;) But more than that, working in a thankless job, regulars help bring meaning and purpose to your day.

Zhoen said...

Ryann,

That is good to know. I feel better about wait-staff at several restaurants we have frequented over the years.

Oh, hi Nathan.