An Ode to those who Serve…

This one goes out to those who serve. 
The ones who make a living by providing necessities to others.
The guy who gets off at 1 a.m. before a 5 a.m. shift the next day.
The girl who serves hundreds of cups of coffee before her first.
The mason who constructs walls that he will never afford.
The mechanic who loves the car more than the owner does.

We know them and we interact with them everyday.
From the restaurant to the supermarket to the gas station.
The people who are hired to smile and to be patient.
The masters of skills that are never used in an office setting.
And yet, so often, in this technology world, we forget.
We forget that they are people.

So, we judge our food not knowing that the cook has been there since 3:30 without a break serving this rush.

We talk on the phone and are put off by the supermarket cashier who actually tries to engage, despite his problems at home.

We are disgruntled by the toll booth worker who obviously has no respect for our time and deadlines.

They’re used to being ignored, yelled at, and condemned. 
They’re used to being taken for granted and treated like objects.
They’re used to the question, “Oh, do you not have a degree?” 
They’re used to parents disapproving and asking about the future.
They’re used to disdaining looks at parties when networking.
They’re used to their humanity being removed.

But yet, they come back. They continue to come to work every day, doing literally the same thing, but trying to be better.

And they do so despite knowing that the prestige, the pay, and the perception will never be the same as those with a white collar.

Because they know that fulfillment isn’t found in high salaries, fancy cars, or social standing. They come back because they know that while it isn’t glamorous, that it the work is good. And there is a pleasure to be found in that.

It’s found in the kid who lights up when they receive their ice cream.
It’s found in restoring the family van to working order on their vacation.
It’s found in the innate beauty of creating something with your hands that, in that moment, is completely yours.
It’s found in the knowledge that the exhaustion felt at the end of the day is well-earned.
It’s found in the knowledge that hard work was done that day and the world is a better place as a result.

Honestly, they don’t need your validation and affirmation. They don’t need you to try to convince them that they are “better than this.” They don’t need your well-intentioned attempts to help them advance and move up. And while they most definitely could use your tips, what they most desire is to know that their efforts were valued.

So, smile. Laugh. Talk to them, not out of condemnation, but out of appreciation. Be patient. Respectful, Courteous.

Essentially, how about we just treat people like people? :)