This is about being 'nice'. To some people, being nice isn't something they have to be. They just are. It's natural, and they are happy. There are some people who seem too nice, which makes one suspicious and nervous. Then there are the people who are nice but don't want to be, so they force themselves to be obnoxious, noisy ...unpleasant creatures effected by things that probably go 'way back'. Then there are people who are honest, like myself, who are nice, but sometimes, can't keep that little cunt inside down and hidden. I am the person who when I get recognition for being genuinely friendly, or helpful, or kind, I get a feeling that just makes my day. But I am the person that sometimes has to really produce the goods when I am not in the mood. It wasn't always like this. The last few months of my life have been kind of testing, so I am finding it harder to be civil to people who come into my shop some days. This is a serious problem, especially when you work in one of the 'friendliest' places in the world (please don't see any similarity in the words 'friendly' and 'sincere' here). I am sincere, when I am friendly, I am. But I am also sincere when I am not. And that is not allowed.
Where am I going with this? Ah yes, being nice. I usually am very nice. I am pleasant and nice with an honest approach. You will know that I will want to help you. That helping you, will make you feel appreciative towards me, which will make me help you more, which will make us both very happy. It's an exchange of love, it's a special deal. It's a bond that makes me feel close to old people I don't even know. It's a skill that has helped me build relationships with people through my shop that I love, yet still don't know the name of. I feel like I've let my discipline go lately, that I've let the outside influence of my personal life effect the reasons why I loved my professional life. This saddens me. Whilst talking about the points I made about wanting this new job today at work, I realised how alive I became when I mentioned the whole 'being nice' thing. Of course it's more than just being nice. It's a whole package of care and attention. And it got me excited. I then felt guilty for all the times I couldn't be bothered, or dismissed, or even judged some of the people who came into my shop, and all the times I might of missed making someones day or making a new friend, because my life had turned to shit everywhere else. So I decided there and then to try out being the nicest and loveliest I could somehow during the day...some how... as I knew that this was the frame of mind that I need to be set in when I go to that interview next Tuesday. They need to see my smile, and they need to see it's real.
Anyway, the perfect opportunity arose, and it was usually an opportunity that worryingly of late, I would put off till I would eventually forget. Head Office called about a customer who had been messed around with other stores regarding a certain workshop that we have going at the moment, in conjunction with a herbal tea company. Head Office said the woman was sad, and angry, that no one had any allocations for her. I knew that this was the opportunity, because as soon as you hear workshop and whatever, you instantly think customer wanting free stuff...more extra work... more stress for me... etc etc etc. But NO. I wanted to be NICE. I want to be back to that person who just instantly went along and helped out. So I said immediately to the obvious hippy down the phone line that I would call her up, invite her into my store, and basically do whatever she wants. She was so thankful, enthusiastically, like when you save someones cat from a wishing well, or reach something from a very high shelf in the supermarket for an old lady or very small person. I already felt good. So I rang this lady, said we do the workshops, and for you, I've got all the time in the world. We can make the face mask, we can do beauty treatments, hell, I'll even rub your feet, and make you feel like the most important person in the shop. Or world. Whatever!
She was so grateful. I said I see her next week, and that I personally would be waiting for her. With a little organisation (with the stuff I need to order, and not to forget that she is coming), then I think I may of out did myself on the niceness scale.
This got me thinking though about how empowering and satisfying being helpful and nice can be. Sometimes it knocks you back if the person you're helping is a cunt about it, but be the better person and remember there is always going to be someone else who will remember you forever (maybe). I still remember the people who have helped me and treated me well in the past, from restaurants to shops. I've never forgotten. From the Chinese lady who worked on Christian Dior in Saks Fifth Avenue in Florida, to the Dutch waitress in Happy's in Portugal, I remember them. And I was very young back then!
After this I realised the appeal to the required service I would be having to provide, and how having that instilled inside of me from now on will be beneficial to me getting this job. It's a lot different to what I do right now though. It seems a bit empty in comparison- helping people that much over cosmetics. Sure, it's good to help people clear their acne, or dry skin, but they're in one minute, then off on their way the next. In the other job, you are required to look after people for up to 10, 11 hours at a time. I liken it to caring for someone, either an ill person, or someone who deserves a treat, like it's your boyfriend's birthday or it's mother's day and you're making sure they don't have to do anything to make themselves comfortable; it's all down to you. And every little detail matters, in fact it's the small details that make up the grandness of it all. And I would love to be responsible for all that.
All in all, I want this job, but I am always thriving to feel good about myself from doing good things in life. And this works for me. I have what it takes for this job, because when I am nice, and happy, and doing good, I am cheerful, I spark up conversation, and I really care. And when I see how much that means to some people, it makes me incredibly happy.
And who knows... sometimes being that nice leads you onto the people who could change your life forever...
Kirsten Dunst, the nicest flight attendant in the world?
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