I didn’t want to be a Debbie downer the first week of January, so I waited to share this article, but I feel like it’s a good time to touch this area since it’s a new year.
A friend of mine over the holidays worked at Kohl’s just for their busy season. She has a full-time job but just picked up a little something extra through the Christmas season. I loved seeing her when I would stop in; she was always smiling. That’s her. But the last week before Christmas, I saw her again. She was still smiling, but what she told me made me irritated.
I asked how she liked working there, and she said she couldn’t wait to be done. That she was fed up with people. She began telling me that working retail is not what it’s cracked up to be. That she was treated so poorly by the customers. That eighty percent of the people who came into Kohl’s were so rude and cruel to not only her but the cashiers and employees trying to help. She’s a lot like me, and it’s super hard for us to keep our mouths shut. (This is why we are friends. We understand each other and our big mouths, haha!) I know how hard this had to have been for her. She was going to work until the middle of January, but I believe put her two weeks in before Christmas was even over.
This is such an eye-opener. I know it’s bad out there, and people are just ticked off at the world, but why did this still shock me?! Eighty percent? Seriously?
It’s simple: if you can’t be nice when you are out in public, then don’t go out!
If you can’t treat retail workers kindly, then don’t go shopping.
If you can’t treat the person ringing up your groceries with respect, order online; do everyone around you a favor, and stay home.
I was at Wegmans the week before Christmas, and the person in front of me checking out seemed like a crazy lady. When I pulled my cart into the checkout, she was yelling at some man. We had no idea whether it was her husband or someone she didn’t know. But when she got up to this sweet young girl — our cashier — she started saying how everyone can kiss her (blankety blank) a** and just kept rambling on like she was seriously crazy! The cashier and I kept looking at each other. I was in a holly jolly mood, and as she walked away, I said to the cashier, “Don’t you just love people like that? You have to feel sorry for them, honestly.” The cashier smiled and said, “I seriously don’t know what she was even talking about. She was my first customer of the day, and I’m afraid this is just how my day is going to go.”
I apologized to her that she had to deal with people like that and told her there were still good people out there. We had a nice few minutes together; she handed me my receipt, and I said Merry Christmas and was on my way.
Why do people have to be this way? Like when you go out to eat. If you can’t be nice to your server and leave a decent tip, then it’s super simple: DON’T GO OUT.
The nurse is trying to help you when you are sick, be kind. They are trying to help you! They probably don’t want to be there as much as you do, but it’s their job to take care of you and get you out of the hospital. Their job would go so much better if they felt appreciated.
Parents, what’s up with you always taking your child’s side and being so rude to the teacher!? Did you ever think, “Hmmm, well, maybe little Bobby isn’t the precious little angel we thought he was?”
Listen, I have gotten calls about my kids here and there. I listen to the teacher and speak to my kids about it. If my kids are in the wrong, that teacher is backed up one hundred percent! Each year at the school open house, my husband and I make it clear to the teachers that if our child is in trouble at school, we will deal with it at home. That we have the teachers’ backs and full support. We want to know everything going on and that they better be respectful. Now, there had been a time or two where I did get into it with a counselor/teacher. I am not saying all situations are the same! My momma bear came out, and my child needed to be defended! But my children will NOT be disrespectful to their peers or teachers without having consequences at home. It’s just the way it goes.
I remind myself, though, that not all people are bad or treat others poorly. There are a lot of good people in this world! I work as a part-time secretary at a fueling company, and I’ve been there for sixteen months. When I started, I remember Cindy saying to me that I would get to know our customers over time. She was right. I have really gotten to know so many of them! I answer the phones, and I have to say that I have only had two experiences with someone who is grumpy. Everyone has been so kind. It’s refreshing!
All I am trying to say is to treat others the way you would want to be treated. You don’t know what that cashier is going through. You don’t know if that nurse just pulled a double shift. Have you ever had twenty-five kids in one class room and tried getting them all to listen to you so you can do your job!? Let me tell you what: we had around fifteen kids at our house for youth group this December. I love each of these kids, but during devotions, they were being little turds and talking over my cousin Lindsay Clark (who is a teacher!) and just wouldn’t listen to her. My big mouth stepped in after one minute of this. (AND this is a big fat why “Andrea is NOT a teacher.”)
If everyone would be a little kinder. If more people smiled. If parents stepped in when their kids are doing wrong. If more people thought less of themselves and more about others. If people realized that we are all human too and have feelings, maybe the world would be a better place. We all have bad days, but treating others poorly doesn’t give you an excuse. Doesn’t cost anything to be nice! Please be kind. YOU can make a difference!
Garlic Honey BBQ Chicken over Rice
Ingredients:
• 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into thick chunks
• 1/2 (28 ounce) bottle of BBQ sauce
• 2 tsp. Honey
• 1 to 2 Tbs. garlic salt
• Salt & Pepper
• Fried onions and peppers (optional, but darn tasty!)
• Your favorite rice to bed it on
Directions:
Mix well and cook in crock pot for 4-5 hours on low.
*I do add about 1/2 cup of raw onion in with my chicken for more flavor while cooking, but totally optional. When ready to prepare on a plate; place rice in bowl first, top with the delicious chicken, and garnish that puppy with fried onions and peppers if you like. Enjoy!
