I’ve been super-late getting my shopping and stuff done… our household was struck with Flu-Fest 2010 for close to two weeks, so I’m scrambling to catch up on all my pre-holiday errands and such. All I can say is, thank goodness for online shopping, man. Like, whoa.
But here’s the thing about the scramble: you really have to force yourself to smile through it all, or else it’s bound to be a complete misery, and bad moods can be catching.
Yesterday I had about four hours to whip the downtown core into my very own shopping frenzy, and I planned to make the most of it. I wore a light jacket so I wouldn’t run the risk of shrinking another cashmere blend sweater inside my super-thermal deep-freeze coat with my body sweat again (yes, this happened to me once) and I had a bottle of water with me. I had snacks in my purse to chase away The Hongries which are often quickly followed by The Crankies, which never bode well for others around me.
I hadn’t really been out in public much in the last few weeks (thank you, cold & flu season!) and I almost tingled with the newness of it. I really looked at people as I passed them. Everyone looked tired, rushed, and surly.
I passed one particularly haggard looking older woman, and I smiled at her as we strode past each other. I really smiled at her. I looked into her eyes as we got closer, and I smiled – a proper smile, completely on purpose – and her face lit up, well, like a Christmas tree. She smiled back and said, “Merry Christmas!” I wished her the same, and we both kept walking.
I kept smiling.
I passed an old man with the strangest, laboured walk… each of his feet were turned out further than 45 degree angles, and he has massive galoshes on. He took small steps, and it looked like it was an effort to remain erect. I smiled at him when I passed by, and he smiled a huge grin back, and tipped his head in my direction. I often think our elderly are nearly invisible to most, as we rush on with our lives… it takes nothing to really look at a person and smile.
This includes thanking salespeople when you’re done with your transaction – and I don’t mean mumbling “thanks” while you snatch up your bag of purchases and sprint along. I mean looking a person in the eye and saying “thank you very much!” and wishing him or her a happy holiday. It takes about 4 extra seconds to do that.
Even when the salesperson is about 17 years old and sullenly working his or her McJob and seems not to give a crap about anything but refolding the stack of t-shirts on the table. Be kind. This person has probably met more Grinches before noon than you’re bound to meet during the entire Season. Be polite. Smile anyway. It will lower your heart rate, and you’ll feel more glowy on the inside. Which makes you look more glowy the outside. I tell you, it’s win-win for everyone involved.
Everyone is tired, and pressed for time, and sweating inside their jackets. I resist the urge to punch rude people in their necks by imagining what it might be like to pinch that old man’s soft and sagging behind on the escalator instead.
What? It makes me laugh! Laughing is good at times like these.
I’m heading out there again today. I’ll make sure I’ve got fresh lip gloss on the whole time.
Go smile at someone. It’s infectious. The more smiling people we have in the world, the better it is for us all, I reckon.
And you’ll look prettier too…
🙂
What an amazing idea Tracey!
when you come to Toronto i am going to take you to the Don Mills Centre- excellent outdoor mall- prevents the sweaties and the crankies- great post Tracey- smiling makes all the difference in the world!
Yes! Three cheers for just being friggin’ KIND to people! Though, I will say, that after we did our last shop on Sunday, with two parents and two kids (well, actually 1 parent because my husband spend an HOUR looking at Le Creuset pots and then buying only ONE stupid enameled brazier, while my kids performed their best slapstick), I was ready to commit a crime. Why does The Bay West Edmonton Mall put glass towers of glass displays of GLASS in the middle of their aisles? What is the benefit of central CUSTOMER SERVICE with long snaking lines that wrap around the glass displays of glass while my children and I are just trying to find the friggin’ bathroom? My thoughts toward my fellow shoppers were something less than kind. I could’ve used your smile that day!
Sara, don’t get me wrong – some people TOTALLY need punching in the neck. (Some even need a kick in the taco, but that’s instruction for another day.) And you needn’t yell at old people – you can just nudge them to the side on the escalators and stuff… they hardly weigh a thing, many of them, so it’s really easy. And you can smile while doing it, so you don’t feel like an a-hole. Just say EXCUSE ME! really loudly.
How’s that for catching?! (Heh.)
Poutine is so freaking delicious – my only trouble with it is you can’t eat it while walking down the street if you have shopping bags… this is where a double cheeseburger comes in handy. And if you have to, you can shove it into your pocket. Just don’t forget it there… dogs might follow you home. #goldentip
Kath, it totally does. There really is no greater hell than The Mall one week before Christmas – might as well grin and bear it, right?
Wait a minute….isn’t this Grumblegirl??? What’s with all this festive smiling! I think it’s catching….I haven’t yelled at one old person since I read this!!! Good for you!
This was so refreshing and it made me smile just reading it.
I love “The Hongries” line…when I’m out shopping, usually my hongries are followed by a vat of poutine at the food court. 🙂
Just did the same sweaty routine yesterday! And I did make a point of smiling and *really* talking to people, too. It makes what could be a stressful little piece of hell more bearable.
You’re right, Jennifer. I can see it in the face of a person when I ask how they’re doing like I’m REALLY asking them. They look relieved and happier for a quick moment. It’s no sweat, right? It’s better for the world. YAY!! 🙂
Great tip, Tracey. You’re right…smiling does make others feel better and improves your own mood, too.
I worked in retail every Christmas break during high school and university, and I remember how one customer’s patience and kindness could buoy me when I was feeling overwhelmed with the stress of it all.
Keep smiling!