(Coworker #1 is leaving early to go to the dentist.)
Coworker #2: *to Coworker #1* “I heard you’re not supposed to brush your teeth first so that you know the hygienist did their job.”
Coworker #1: “Well, I’m getting a filling, so—”
Coworker #3: “So, is that also true when I’m going to the gynecologist?”
(I work at the main location of this particular bank. As a result, there are members of upper management who are in and out frequently. One particular lady has a reputation of being the one who shows up when someone is about to get fired. Even my boss is afraid of her. On this particular day, I see her come in and realize with horror that she is making a beeline for my desk.)
Manager: “Hi, [My Name]?”
Me: *nervously* “Er… yes?”
(My fear grows as I watch my boss get up, grab her coffee and her purse, and make a quick exit into a back room. The other manager sees it, too.)
Manager: “No, no, no. I know what they say, but you’re not in trouble. I just had a question about a client that you helped the other day.”
Me: “Oh! Well, sure. Ask away!”
(I answer her question quickly. I notice that she’s looking at my computer background, which is me and a few friends goofing off at a charity event hosted by my church.)
Manager: “I couldn’t help noticing your background. That looks like a fun group of people!”
Me: “That is from an event my church held to benefit [Non-profit]. And it was a lot of fun!”
Manager: “Really? My church also supports [Non-profit]! Where do you attend?”
(We strike up a 10-minute conversation. During this time, I notice my boss peeking her head out of the back room every couple minutes.)
Manager: “Well, I’ve got to run back to my meeting. I’ll be sure to bring you that magazine article tomorrow; I think you’d really like it!”
Me: “Great! Can’t wait to read it!”
Manager: “Enjoy the rest of your day, [My Name]!”
(She exits. Not 30 seconds later, my boss pounces.)
Boss: “What did you do?!”
Me: “What do you mean, what did I do?”
Boss: “She was here for FIFTEEN MINUTES. You must’ve done SOMETHING.”
Me: “Excuse me?! All she did was ask a question about a customer I waited on the other day. Then, we got off topic and started talking about other stuff. That’s all. No one is in trouble!”
Boss: “…Oh.”
(Six months later, I was transferred to another area. The manager of that department? The lady from upper management who scared everyone. Almost two years later, I still work for her. We’ve become great friends. She’s the best boss I’ve ever had!)
(My wife and I are buying a very large bag of dog food. The cashier is a thin, almost scrawny young woman.)
Cashier: “Would you like some help out to your car with this today?”
Me: “No, thanks, I can get it.”
Cashier: “Thank goodness, because I would be useless with that.”
(My mother works as a civilian contractor on an Army base, and is able to land me a temporary data entry job on base as well. I’ve been struggling with depression and anxiety for years, and it often shows. I’m on break one day, roaming the halls with my head down when an older officer comes around the corner.)
Officer: *snapping at me* “CHIN UP! EYES FORWARD!”
(I yelped and obeyed, and we both laughed as we passed each other by. I started keeping my head up after that, and I can honestly say that is HAS helped me, no matter how minutely.)
(My husband and I are in line for the register. Ahead is a man with a couple kids buying a few things and behind us is a pair of women with a few children. The man seems to have just found out his payment is declined. He is asking the cashier to put his things aside and he’ll be right back with a different form of payment.)
Woman #1: “How much is it?”
Cashier: “Like… five bucks.”
Woman #1: “Oh, I have that. Here.” *she pulls out a $20 bill* “Let me pay for it.”
Woman #2: “She’d be unhappy all day if you didn’t.”
Man: “Oh, thank you so much!”
Cashier: “Now I have to do math in my head… Here’s your change.”
(In short order the man had his purchases and was on his way. I wish there were something I could have done, too. It was the sweetest thing I had seen all day.)
