Weekly Challenge "How Are You"

Weekly Challenge #1

I have not blogged in a while so here is a little warm-up post!

Working at a restaurant as a cashier I get to see all sorts of individuals, old, young, black, white, asian, rich, poor, homeless.....the list goes on. I also hear the question, "How are you doing?" about every five minutes and with such frequency that question can really lose its meaning. When I genuinely respond and ask the question, "How are you doing?" like most of us they would say, "good."

Before, I would not mind that response, but recently I have been challenging myself to care more about others and the answer, "good" is not longer good enough. So as I proceed with the check out, I follow up with the question, "Why is your day good?" This normally throws people for a loop, many have to actually think about why their day is good...some change their response and say actually, "its been bad, because..." or "I have had a great day..." Regardless of their second response, I see a change in them, they go from being robots and having an automated response to being human with life in them. 

Personally I have cashed out hundreds of people in my one year of being a cashier and each person carries their own story, their own background, there is something that makes them unique that sets them apart. They are no longer just customers to me but they are human beings with great depth....

Because I changed my approach with each customer, I have been able to relate and connect with so many people that walk through my restaurant. I have heard so many stories and created new ones with my customers. Honestly, it makes my day more enjoyable and easier to get through. Not only so it has increased my tips about 30% not because I am providing more labor for the customer, but because I am someone who genuinely cares about my customer's needs. I have had the amazing moment of laughing uncontrollably with my customers and I have had the honor of partaking in my customers suffering. Stories about mothers passing away, relationships falling apart and trying to find meaning in this life have been shared to me from these individuals....The things that makes me laugh and cry on a daily basis I hear it from my customers...

So, I challenge you when you ask someone "How are you?" follow up with the question "Why" or maybe when someone asks you "How are you?" take sometime to honestly respond, it might create an unforgettable moment!