It’s the little things that make anyone’s day. A warm smile, some courtesy, a caring question, some thoughtfulness. Most people rush through their days on a ‘me’ mode, thinking about their own things, worrying about themselves.
Hardly anyone gives a damn about anyone else. Won’t it be nice to flip it around once in a while? Instead of thinking about yourself, think about what the people around you are doing, have been doing, what’s going on in their lives, their biggest achievements, worries, anxieties.
The problem comes with Singaporeans thinking you’re being nice because you want something from them. I know this guy that’s so guarded, he treats every interaction like a war zone, like everyone in the world is out to get him. I mean give it a rest man. Some people just genuinely want to know more about you.
Just the other morning, on my way to the office, I was waiting to cross the road, when this driver motioned me to cross before he drove out of his lot. I smiled and pointed across to another car which he overlooked, that was turning out. He gave the ‘oops’ expression. The car across cleared, and I let him out of his lot before crossing. On the way pass me he gave the warmest smile and wave that I’ve ever seen come from a BMW 7 series driver.
That, totally made my day. And it didn’t even take him much effort. He could have horned and drove off the first time, before the other car turned out, and I would have been on ‘annoyed’ mode the entire day.
So the next time you think about giving that frown on the train, that annoyed look at someone, just catch yourself, put yourself in his or her shoes, think for a while. Maybe he had a bad day? Maybe he just lost his job? Maybe he’s rushing home to his kids at home? Just let it go with a smile. It takes more effort to be angry than to be happy.
Tom likes this. Genuinely!
haha tom you.