Just drop it!

While on board a flight this morning, I witnessed a common communication error.  As the cart offering snacks for purchase had passed, a passenger called out to ask if he could order something.  The flight attendant went over, and the gentleman said, “I didn’t get a chance to order.”  The flight attendant had a choice at this point.  She could:

1.  say,  “I’m so sorry, Sir----what can I get for you?”

or

2.  say, “I guess you missed the cart when it passed by the first time”.

Guess which she did----oh no!! Danger, danger, Will Robinson! Not only did she choose 2, she did it like a  Jack Russell grabbing a rope.  She would not let it go!  “Sir, I guess you just didn’t hear me when I announced it a minute ago.  I mean, I am happy to get you something now, but I just wanted you to know I did ask your row and the others around you if they wanted anything.  See, the lady in front of you got something, the man next to you got something, I guess you just didn’t hear me.” 

As an owner of three Labs who sometimes get hold of a chew toy they don’t want to let go of, I wanted to yell, “Drop it!!”

How about, just for today, we practice “letting it go”, even when we know we are right?  Spoiler alert----this is one of my weaker areas---why else would it be so easy for me to recognize in others?  After all, in one of my favorite songs, the Indigo Girls sing “Everything I believe is wrong with you is wrong with me.” 

Happy communicating!