Be kind whenever possible
By Fay Blakeley
AT the risk of stating the obvious, we are still living in extraordinary times. As we enjoy our new-found freedoms, one cannot help but cautiously eye the daily ‘numbers’ and the subsequent imminent threat of increased infections after every outing and gathering. Huge segments of the public can choose whether to visit a popular restaurant, festival, or busy supermarket, but for many people, namely the staff, it is not a luxury afforded to them.
I have spoken to many colleagues, particularly in the hospitality sector, hearing their horror stories of the rudeness, short-temperedness, and downright abusiveness that they and their staff have endured from the sometimes not-so-great British public in an ordinary day’s work. It’s made me wonder, is it inherent meanness, privilege or just old-fashioned bad manners that would make a customer be abusive to staff ? Or maybe it’s that we’ve all been locked away resulting in rusty social skills and sorely missing other people to temper our behaviour?
Whatever the reason, the next time a member of staff requests that you comply with their business risk assessment, or simply wear a mask, please take a deep breath before you bite. I can guarantee that they’d rather not be wearing a mask or having to sanitize their hands every two minutes either. What’s more, they may not be having the best of days and an unkind word may just be the straw that breaks the proverbial camel’s back. Finally, I’ll leave you with the wise words of the Dalai Lama, “Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible.”
