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Happy Communicating
​

Did I just see you do that?

5/14/2014

1 Comment

 
You may wonder how this topics relates to communication, so let me head that question off at the pass.
The way we act and behave has a direct connection to our integrity and character, which are communicated to those around us in a multitude of ways.  Watching people can't reveal everything about their character but it sure does tell a very interesting story.

Just sit in an airport or at a restaurant for awhile and you'll see the most interesting things.  There are actually websites devoted to the art of people-watching.  I may not have taken the official course, but wowee, I feel I have some auditing credits under my belt.

I was in the breakfast area of my hotel this morning.  After jockeying for position at the toaster ("oops, is this your toaster slot?"  "Nope, go ahead, I think that has been sitting there awhile"), I sat down to enjoy a nice bit of people watching with apricot preserves.  A well-dressed gentleman entered the breakfast area holding his briefcase. A very polite server asked him if he wanted to take a seat.  The gentleman replied, "I'm not sure I'm going to eat breakfast" and continued towards the food as if he was going to check it out or maybe see if a colleague was already there.  I happened to have a bird's eye view and, as the server turned away to wait on someone else, the very nicely dressed gentleman walked over to the buffet, grabbed a banana and a muffin and......wait for it!.......shoved them into his briefcase.  WHAT?  Did I really just see you do that?

Now, I totally adhere to Stephen Covey's habit of highly effective people to "seek first to understand".  Perhaps he was on a scavenger hunt, and items 8 and 9 on the list were "a banana and a muffin from a hotel breakfast buffet".  Perhaps he lost his wallet and simply couldn't find a way to pay for his morning sustenance.  But....really???

Just on the heels of that gem, I saw a beautifully-dressed woman walk by our tables.  A gentleman at a neighboring table gazed at her walking for a good 2, 3, 4, maybe 10 seconds...... as his wife and two little girls sat by his side.  Did I really just see you do that?  Again, seek first to understand.  Maybe even though he seemed to be looking at her like I look at the Culver's cherry-chocolate concrete, maybe--just maybe---he thought she looked like his long-lost cousin and he was staring to be certain.  

Just for today, perhaps I should remember that no matter what we do, someone is likely always watching us.  I am going to be determined to act in a way that I would not be embarrassed to be seen doing everything I do today.

Happy Communicating!

Shelly
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