A Good Sign(s) Of The Times
(I am deaf, and so I communicate mostly by reading lips and using BSL (British Sign Language). I frequent a coffee shop every day on my way to work, but since the place is always busy and in a rush I usually have my order written down to speed things along. This time however, was different.)
Me: *hands barista my order on paper*
Barista: *looks down at the paper, and then up at me, and then beams a huge smile*
(All of a sudden, the barista starts talking to me in fluent BSL!)
Barista: *in BSL* “Hi, I was hoping I’d catch you today!”
Me: *replying in BSL* “You know BSL?”
Barista: “Just a little. Ever since you’ve been coming in and felt like you had to write your order down on paper, I didn’t feel comfortable with it. I think you should be able to order just like everyone else, so I started learning BSL. How am I doing?”
(At this point I start tearing up, and am so emotional I can barely sign.)
Me: “I think… that’s one of the kindest things anyone has ever done for me.”
Barista: “It is absolutely my pleasure. Now, shall I get you your regular?”
(It has been years since that encounter, and every day the barista was there we would have a small chat in BSL. She has since left but we remain in touch and I always thank her for that day when someone learnt a whole language just to make me fit in.)
This story is part of our celebration of Not Always Right publishing over 100,000 stories!
This story is included in the roundup of Not Always Inspirational stories to toast this achievement!
