This isn’t a technical article. Although it could be about a person you know that does technical things well. This article is about taking a couple of extra minutes out of your day to acknowledge someone that always does a terrific job. Those rare people who through their everyday work contribute to making your world a better place.
If you ride muni (public transportation) in SF then you know that you rarely have a trip that you would describe as being pleasurable. The typical bus driver is not overly helpful and passengers can often be kind of unruly. You basically want to get off the bus as soon as possible. There is the occasional good trip but never any consistently great bus drivers or at least thats what I thought. Then on my morning trek downtown to work I took notice of a bus driver on the 6 that was going above and beyond.
When climbing onto the bus she gave a cheerful “good morning” with a smile that made me feel like “hey this really could be a good morning”. What really impressed me was that she carried that same attitude through every aspect of her job. First, she called out every stop with detail about what you would find there and the connections at the stop. Second, she goes above and beyond in the giving of directions. There were at least three occasions on one trip that I watched her give a passenger directions including two times that she gave directions to people standing outside the bus at a stop. She did this all without ever slowing down the ride. You know what you’ll find most impressive about her bus? How well mannered the passengers are. Her courteousness and consideration flows through every passenger on that bus. It is because all of this that I can honestly say that riding her bus is a pleasurable experience.
So what is my point here? My point is that this person goes far beyond that of any average bus driver. She takes a typically miserable part of your day and turns it into something good. When you notice these people in your life take a minute to say thank you. After I had been on her bus a few times I made a point to walk to the front before I jumped off and thanked her. I let her know how awesome I thought she was and she let me take her picture. (above)
Another case of a person who loves their work and always delivers is William Gibson. A couple of weeks back he did a reading at the local borders book store. Only a handful of people showed up (I suspect that was do to poor marketing). So despite empty seats he read from his book with what I imagine to be the same enthusiasm he would share if it had been a sell out crowd in stadium. It was the kind of reading that reminded me of those kindergarten days when I would curl up on rug and be read to, letting my imagination run wild in the story. In the end I gave William the same type of treatment as the bus driver, thanking him for the reading and his books. Admittedly I could have thanked him more had I not been a bit nervous. (Its William Gibson!!!)
By now I think you get the picture. These people exist in our everyday lives. When you see them you’ll know what to do.
Have a similar story of a person that makes your world a better place? Please add it in the comments.
Thanks
Steven
