Kindness in an unkind world

I very rarely do philosophical posts, but here it goes. Today, I was kind to someone. I am kind to a lot of people and it is very far and between that I get recognition for it. It isn't that I expect or even want recondition, it is just rare when it does happen. I guess the first one I should talk about happened on Tuesday. I was visiting my old High School to reminisce the olden days, talk about what's going on now, and plan my future. As I was walking into the front doors of that pillar of education, I held the door open for an older lady. It wasn't like I walked through the doors and did that behind the back prop open thing; I stood at attention with the door open for longer then I most people do waiting for her to finish climbing the stairs and walk though the doors. She praised me and told me I was a fine young man and must have been a Burke Student. I chuckled and told her I was an alumni. We chatted for a few minutes, it turns out she was the head of the music department for the entire school district. I hold doors open for a lot of people and rarely do I get much more then a mumbled Thank You. I don't expect much more, but when more does come of it, it's nice.


I told you that story but I really wanted to tell you this story. Today at Burger King (yes, I do occasionally eat at that unhealthy greasepit time to time) I was incredibly kind to my cashier. I stood tall, spoke clearly and looked her in the eye. I also greeted her with a good morning and continuously said my pleases and thank yous. It was her reaction to all of the attention that struck me as odd. Now before you get any idears in your head, I was not hitting on her, simply being polite. Now, while I attempted to make eye contact, she would constantly look away at ether the counter or her feet. Every now and then she would stammer or trip over her words when I am sure she is capable of saying "Cheeseburgers." There was no line and I showed tremendous patients for her, but she still fumbled with a receipt and seemed rushed to get my my drink cup. I was polite to her and she seemed intimidated by it. I was not in a $5,000 suit, just a polo and blue jeans. I did not drive up in a limo or supercar, just my old four banger. There was nothing to be intimidated by other then kindness. It is like she didn't know how to handle it. In her line of work, there can't be too many patent and kind people come through her line. When one does, she didn't know how to act. I could have it all wrong, perhaps she had a handicap that I am missing to pick up on, but I doubt it. I guess where I'm going with all of this is perhaps we should all stop being in such a big rush all the time and be a little more polite to our fellow humans so when someone does come along with compassion, we know how to act.