Stories of Kindness from Around the World

Miss Cool, Calm and Collected


--by RoseMarie, posted Mar 17, 2016
When I saw her tonight she smiled and recognized me. I smiled back at her. She was looking more relaxed even though she was still doing her job. I have noticed her several times this last few months and she always looks so much happier now. Tonight when I chatted with her I noticed her name tag. Her name is Pamela.

Pamela works at the express checkouts in a busy supermarket . She deals with issues when the self serve checkout experiences a problem (no price on product, machine malfunction, etc.). She supervises these checkouts and usually has barely dealt with one complaint before another is created.

When I first talked to Pamela, I had called her to the checkout I was using. There wasn't any problem with the checkout though. My issue or should I say concern was about Pamela. She looked frazzled and was under a lot of stress as she quickly moved from one checkout to the next. Couldn't deal with one customer query quick enough to get on to the next. It's a bit of a fire-fighting job.

I told Pamela that she needed to slow down. I told her she wasn't getting paid enough to be working as hard as she was working. I told her that we, the customers, can wait and it is very bad for her health to be putting herself under such pressure. I reassured her that our expectations as customers are not as harsh as the ones she sets for herself. Pamela told me she would slow down. I could tell she was touched that not only did I notice her stress but that I chose to talk to her about it and was concerned for her well being. I gently told her things had to change. I told her I would be looking out for her in future to see if she had taken my concerns on board.

Well, Pamela has taken this on board. When I see her she is still doing her job but there is such a difference. Now Pamela says that customers will just have to wait their turn while she deals with another customer. She is cool, calm,and collected.

Tonight I spoke to Pamela about this. I commented on the new her. She told me that not only did she tell her husband what I said, but she has also shared it with a lot of her colleagues. As I walked away from Pamela my heart swelled. She has listened to me and now encourages her colleagues to slow down. A day's work means just that. It doesn't mean cram two days' work into one day.

I am proud of me. Not only have I caused Pamela to reflect on the stress she was putting herself under but she in turn has encouraged her colleagues to do the same.

Little positive ripple effects...
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Readers Comments

marilynlaite wrote: Its is so nice to see someone looking out for her fellow human beings. A job well done earth angel.
pia777 wrote: Hi rosemarie, i am very happy for your awareness and concern to pam. Im very sure this has made a difference in her life! Im glad, god bless you
leoladyc728 wrote: You really made a difference in her life.
melnotes wrote: Well done and what a great support you were!
petroskryf wrote: You may feel proud of yourself. You empowered another human being. Well done!
bountiful wrote: such courage and strength RoseMarie xx
pluto178 wrote: You certainly do not earn enough in these jobs to let it affect your health in fact no job is worth it.............sadly she may have no choice but at least she has calmed. x
terre wrote: Really great kindness here, RoseMarie! So happy she took it to heart and is, in fact, sharing the thoughts with her co-workers. Thank you for stepping in!
menchuva wrote: What a great ripple my friend!! Thank you for your great kindness! Blessings to you and to Pamela/staff of that grocery store!! <3 _()_
Mish wrote: I am proud of you too, RoseMarie. Thank you for your sensitivity to others, your caring heart & taking action. Simply wonderful. Kindness transforms lives. Bless you. 💕

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