A bouquet for a good and sincere job well done

The previous time I had written in to Stomp to praise someone for a job well done, I had received comments saying that the good deed was nothing extraordinary, and that my story was not worth posting.

Yet, I feel compelled to post again for a job that is sincerely and properly done, with the subject least suspecting that I would be posting.  This is precisely my motivation —- to capture unpretentious but good work.

As it seemed to me, Ms Jasmine, looked like a secondary-school student part-timing at this branch of McDonald's during her school holidays. (Just my conjecture.)  In any case, I deem her service at the cashier courteous, sincere and effective.  As usual, I tend to stumble over my words at the counter while trying to convey what I want to order.  Ms Jasmine did not show a tinge of annoyance, but merely gave a gingerly smile and tried to paraphrase my order, which was quite a long one —- comprising fries with no salt and fillet fish burger with no cheese.  After which, she courteously directed me to check my order at display on the cash register.  We were left with the final part of the order: collecting payment.  I handed over to her 2 ten-dollar notes, where she courteously asked if I had a 5-cent coin, as my order amounted to $18.05 , and if I had (and indeed I do have) she would just had to return me a 2-dollar note.  Finally, she greeted me with a decent "thank you" and directed me to wait by the side to collect my order, before she continued serving her next customer.

Many may deem this transaction to be expected, and hence too ordinary to fuss about.  However, I feel otherwise.  It is only when we recognise and write in to praise ordinary, yet sincere, good work can we send the right message to encourage many ordinary others, like Ms Jasmine, to give their best, and that I believe is a little step forward to move our society towards becoming a more gracious one.

Sent from my iPhone