Wherever we go, we encounter people from all walks of life. Some days we choose to acknowledge them—a quick smile on the train, a friendly nod on the street. Other days, we stay in our own world, earbuds in, gaze averted. Both choices are ours. But how we handle these moments says a lot about who we are.
Certain environments require interaction. At a restaurant, for example, we must speak with the waiter to place an order. In any service setting, communication is part of the exchange. While the necessity of interaction may vary, the way we engage with others—particularly those in service roles—reflects the kind of person we are.
Unfortunately, there’s a tendency for some to treat individuals in lower-paying jobs with less respect. But let’s be clear: your income doesn’t make you more valuable than someone else. You might earn more due to a specific skill set or level of experience, but in terms of human dignity, we are all equal.
How you treat a customer service representative, a bus driver, or a waiter is a mirror of your character. Politeness should not be reserved for peers or superiors—it should be extended to everyone. After all, actions speak louder than words.
Respect shouldn’t have to be earned; it should be given freely. If someone disrespects you, that doesn’t give you permission to stoop to their level. Retaliating only confirms that you’ve adopted the same behaviour. The more powerful choice is to walk away with your dignity intact. That isn’t always easy—but often, it’s necessary.
We all have off days. Days when we feel irritable, exhausted, or withdrawn. On those days, we may not want to make eye contact, let alone engage in conversation—and that’s okay. If we can have those moments, so can others. When someone else is short with you or seems unfriendly, resist the urge to take it personally. They might simply be having a tough day.
At the heart of it all is a simple principle we’ve all heard before:
Treat others the way you want to be treated.
Choose kindness. Extend respect. Be a good person—not just when it’s easy, but especially when it’s not.
Take care.