Words + Images

I have a favorite coffee shop. It has become near-ritual that when I am working at a certain place on a certain day, I and a friend will stop in this store to grab a bite to eat before our shift starts. The place is a little pricey but the space is so inviting and the people, when not overwhelmed by the masses of customers, are so friendly, it is worth the expense. Recently we visited. One of my favorite managers was behind the counter and he was directing staff and clearly someone hadn’t shown up for their shift and so he was having to step in to make the coffees and as he stood by the machine, scowling, frustrated, multi-tasking, I asked, “Where’s your smile?” At his blank stare, I added,”Whenever I’ve come in here, you’ve always greeted me with a smile. What happened to it?” The man burst out laughing. As my friend and I left his establishment, we left him smiling. How long that smile lasted I don’t know and I don’t think duration matters.