Tipping Fast Food Employees

 

Once again I got that look of shock and great gratitude, topped off with a smile.  All I had to do was give the person that waited on me at Jack in the Box a dollar.  A simple dollar worth all that. 

This act originally occurred to me when I put 50 cents in the Starbucks tip cup.  (I used to give them a dollar, until I realized what a large percentage that was for a tip.  I then wondered what it is that this person does, that a fast food person doesn’t do that they don’t warrant a tip from most people.  It doesn’t make sense to me, frankly.  So, I’ve changed that.  But this is not about me.  It is about bringing joy to the recipient at the fast food restaurant.

Think about it.  These folks work hard and are generally paid a very minimum wage, if not the minimum wage.  They are probably in need of money, or they wouldn’t be working.  They are probably unskilled, possibly working the only job that they are qualified for, or can get, though I am certain many are also on a targeted career path, but they need money too.  Who knows why they are actually working…but probably the basics, to meet their living expenses, whether it be to feed their kids, make up the difference between their social security income and the rest of their living expenses. 

Now, there is a chance that you cannot afford to tip the fast food employee, that may be why you’re actually eating there, and if that’s the case, I’m not talking to you. I’m talking to those of you that are grabbing a quick meal today, or drink, on the way from here to there.  With the prices at these restaurants being relatively low, you can probably give them an extra quarter or two.  If so, I sincerely hope that you will.  It will bring them a smile, possibly make their day.  And the smile will make your day.  Please give it a try.

Nurturer

I’ll take that role.  Yes, I am a woman, and it seems that we have been given this job, to be the nurturers, so I’ll take it.  It actually seems to fit me quite well.  This is not because I’m a mom by the way, though I am.  It shows up when I am with my pets, when I find a stranded animal, of just about any kind. ( I took care of a bat a couple of months ago.)  Yes, I’m one of those people that takes the bug outside instead of squashing it-sorry, I know that drives some people crazy.

But like I said, I am a mom, and even though my kids are grown, nothing puts me into action like taking care of my kids.  One just had surgery, and there I was with meal in hand, getting drinks, blankets, etc.  But it was much bigger than that.  There is a feeling that motivates me to act.  It is/was truly in my heart and middle-not a thought like it would be nice to help out this person that can’t get up and walk to the kitchen right now. 

I’m not saying this is a woman only role or feeling.  I have definitely seen nurturing by men, or men nurturing, but in my observations, in comparison to most men I know, I haven’t seen it to the degree as in myself.  But, to be honest, I don’t think I’ve seen it to my level in a lot of women either.  O.K., so it’s me, though I’m absolutely positive  I am not the only person or woman with this quality, and I’d be willing to bet that there are definitely folks out there that are even more nurturing than me.  I’m not a nurse, and those people must feel very nurturing, or I don’t think they could possibly do that job.  It occurred to me to be in the health care profession at one time, actually a dr. rather than a nurse, but I knew that I would never be able to handle that life or death stuff.  I fell to pieces when my childhood dog had puppies.

On the other hand, I remember spending hours trying to catch and care for a stray kitten, taking him in, and spending what little money that I had on this kitten. (I was a poor college student at the time.)  My mom and dad, by the way, feed all the strays that they can every morning and every evening in their neighborhood, by putting out canned cat food on their front porch.  They also create little shelters under their back porch to protect them from the cold.  Did I inherit my nurturing from them?  They know a woman who built a cat shelter that has housed up to 200 cats at a time.  Can you imagine the work with that?  That’s nurturing at a level way beyond any nurturing that I have given.

The point of this blog is to share the joy of nurturing.  Plain and simple, it feels good. So whether it be your pet, somebody else’s pet, a stray, a child, an elder, a person you barely know, please try.  There is something very joyous about it.

Assigning Value

It is so easy to look at an event and see it as bad, or negative, what you missed, what you didn't get, how you fell short,etc.  But let's also try to look at the same event and see what you got, gained, learned, experienced, what was good.  It's another way of looking to see if the glass is empty of full.  I remember telling my son many years ago.  Every single day, you have the ability to look at that day and say it was a good one or a bad one.  Why not choose to make it a good one.  So much easier said than done.  I wish that I could apply these words of wisdom to myself every day, but of course I do not.

What I can often do though is instead of looking at the day as an up hill climb, I can feel that it was an uphill climb and kind of study it and let it linger.  In other words, I really feel the day.  Then I take a deep breath, and start to turn it around.  What did I learn?  Did I learn that hard work doesn't always pay off?  Did I learn that life isn't always fair?  Did I learn that I don't always get what I want?  Yes, to all those things.  Maybe I even decide this is a day that a good pout is in order.  Maybe I realize that this is a day that I need to nurture myself, have a treat, cuddle with my favorite souls-including a pet.  So, I do what I can to help me get my feeling of self-worth back.  Realize that it wasn't all my fault, that sometimes I do need a lesson or two.

Then after feeling the sadness or darkness, it's time to take a deep breath, appreciate the humaness in me, find something to appreciate,even if it's the color or softness of a fabric. I then think of the good things in my life, not necessarily accomplishments, although those are nice.  Sometimes I think of how grateful I am I have skin that encloses my body, legs that work, eyes that see.  It is so easy to take these things for granted, but believe me, if we didn't have them, we would surely finding ourselves wishing for them.  Then, for me, it is easy to begin to feel a smile coming over me.  Gratitude-Appreciation, both wonderful things that help one get through a day.  These are the things that get me through an up hill day.

Do you believe in luck?

Have you been in a good conversation about luck, lately?  I have a somewhat regular conversation with a very, very dear friend of mine, and we have different  views.  I do believe in luck, or lack of it.  Because frankly, I feel that sometimes I have it in greatness, and sometimes I feel I just don’t and can’t seem to get it, no matter what I do. And yes, I believe it comes and goes in streaks.

For example I felt very lucky when I met my husband.  I felt lucky the day that a complete stranger paid for my parking ticket when my credit card didn’t work.  I feel lucky when I get a string of green lights, as opposed to a string of red lights, when I feel unlucky. (Sometimes it doesn’t take much. J ) If I understand this other point of view correctly, he says that luck is created by the things that we do, that allow the “luck” to occur.  Actually, in some ways I agree.  One can’t win the lottery, if one doesn’t buy a ticket, so in that way, the luck was created by the buyer, but on the other hand, there are lots of buyers, but only one is “lucky enough” to win.

When I think of celebrities, I think that of all of those that are famous, there were thousands of folks that have much talent (musician, talk show host, actor) or have put forth much effort in also trying to become famous, or earn much money in that trade but did not make it.  I think that the luck came in when they were in the right place at the right time.  Or was it their destiny? (That’s another conversation altogether.)

Anyway, I do believe in luck, and given the choice, I’ll take luck every time! Any thoughts?

Tipping Fast Food Employees

Once again I got that look of shock and great gratitude, topped off with a smile.  All I had to do was give the person that waited on me at Jack in the Box a dollar.  A simple dollar worth all that. 

This act originally occurred to me when I put 50 cents in the Starbucks tip cup.  (I used to give them a dollar, until I realized what a large percentage that was for a tip.  I then wondered what it is that this person does, that a fast food person doesn’t do that they don’t warrant a tip from most people.  It doesn’t make sense to me, frankly.  So, I’ve changed that.  But this is not about me.  It is about bringing joy to the recipient at the fast food restaurant.

Think about it.  These folks work hard and are generally paid a very minimum wage, if not the minimum wage.  They are probably in need of money, or they wouldn’t be working.  They are probably unskilled, possibly working the only job that they are qualified for, or can get.  Who knows why they are actually working…but probably the basics, to meet their living expenses, whether it be to feed their kids, make up the difference between their social security income and the rest of their living expenses. 

Now, there is a chance that you cannot afford to tip the fast food employee, that may be why you’re actually eating there, and if that’s the case, I’m not talking to you. I’m talking to those of you that are grabbing a quick meal today, or drink, on the way from here to there.  With the prices at these restaurants being relatively low, you can probably give them an extra quarter or two.  If so, I sincerely hope that you will.  It will bring them a smile, possibly make their day.  And the smile will make your day.  Please give it a try. 

Blog: Looking at an Event in your Life...

It is so easy to look at an event and see it as bad, or negative, what you missed, what you didn't get, how you fell short, etc.  But let's also try to look at the same event and see what you got, gained, learned, experienced, what was good.  It's another way of looking to see if the glass is empty of full.  I remember telling my son many years ago.  Every single day, you have the ability to look at that day and say it was a good one or a bad one.  Why not choose to make it a good one.  So much easier said than done.  I wish that I could apply these words of wisdom to myself every day, but of course I do not.  

What I can often do though is instead of looking at the day as an up- hill climb, I can feel that it was an uphill climb and kind of study it and let it linger.  In other words, I really feel the day.  Then I take a deep breath, and start to turn it around.  What did I learn?  Did I learn that hard work doesn't always pay off?  Did I learn that life isn't always fair?  Did I learn that I don't always get what I want?  Yes, to all those things.  Maybe I even decide this is a day that a good pout is in order.  Maybe I realize that this is a day that I need to nurture myself, have a treat, cuddle with my favorite souls-including a pet.  So, I do what I can to help me get my feeling of self-worth back.  Realize that it wasn't all my fault, that sometimes I do need a lesson or two.

Then after feeling the sadness or darkness, it's time to take a deep breath, appreciate the “humanness” in me, find something to appreciate, even if it's the color or softness of a fabric. I then think of the good things in my life, not necessarily accomplishments, although those are nice.  Sometimes I think of how grateful I am I have skin that encloses my body, legs that work, eyes that see.  It is so easy to take these things for granted, but believe me, if we didn't have them, we would surely finding ourselves wishing for them.  Then, for me, it is easy to begin to feel a smile coming over me.  Gratitude-Appreciation, both wonderful things that help one get through a day.  These are the things that get me through an up-hill day.

Finding Joy in Love

Don't you think it's fun to be in love and have love?  It puts a certain spring in your step!  I hope that we all have memories of receiving a valentine from, or getting noticed by that special someone.  Do you remember how much fun it is to see that certain someone, just to see them? Especially, when they weren't yet your valentine. There is definitely something to say for the dream.  

When I was in college, I made it a point to find a "C.P.," and encouraged my friends to find one too.  It was just fun to look for them.  By the way, C.P., stands for campus passion.  Basically, it was someone who caught your eye and you got a kick of looking at.  We didn't even know them well enough to like them.  I think we also had fun if we could get them to look back.  That was one fun thing about going to the dining hall.  We spent way too much time there, but it was more fun than studying.

Many of my friends found the loves of their lives in college, some in high school, some well after, and some after their first or second divorce.  I just hope that you're lucky enough to fall in love and stay in love.  I know this is a challenge from talking to so many of my friends.  I have to admit that I am not at the "crest" of being in love at all times every day throughout the day.  

So, here is what I find helpful...look at the "One You Love" with gratitude.  Where would you be without this special person?  Who would you be without them?  Who have you been able to become with them?  It is true that as time passes, you cannot be at a constant height of passion.  By definition, you fall into a pattern of average.  But what you can do is appreciate your life with them, the comfort, the security, the habits, and patterns, the pleasures, the you that you have become with them by your side, day in and day out.  I find great joy in living in that space of being grateful that "My Love" is in my life everyday in so many ways.  I am grateful for his love, for the love of my parents and children, and friends, and their presence.  I am also so very grateful that I have them in my life to love.  It is times like these that I feel so very lucky that we are in each others' lives and for that, I am so very grateful!  This is where I find joy.