Wednesday, 6 November 2013

7 Wonders of Yuletide : Making Them Smile

Posted by clapalisoc | Wednesday, 6 November 2013 | Category: , , , , , , |

Have you ever taken a moment to stop and appreciate or even observe those people working in parking areas? Could be in malls or in any other parking space? Most times, we hurry up as soon as we get the ticket or as soon as we have paid our parking bill. Always looking forward to the place we're about to go to or in a hurry to go home. Since I do not drive and always on the passenger side of the car, I have a lot of time to observe them. Most times they are alone in their booths, with no one to talk to. They seldom smile, except if their day has just started which usually coincides with the opening of a mall or the place that we are about to go to. They seem like robots with no reaction at all or when the day gets old, you'll see them frowning. 

What about those people in toll gates? I bet you only see the toll fees - then curse the government every time due to the high price. I believe that both group of workers are under appreciated. We just pass them by which is very normal since we can't really stop and talk to them for a long time. That's just it - that's their job and it should be done as quickly as possible, as many cars as possible.

Whenever Cherienne joins trick or treats, we would go home with tons of candies and other sweet loots that we would never be able to consume even after several months. About three years ago, while in Serendra for dinner on a Halloween night, we decided to give out candies to parking attendants. We only had one simple goal - to dispose as much candies as we can! Then the day after, we still had a lot so we decided to extend the act until the 2nd of November. We were hesitant at first since we have never seen anyone do such thing before and we were afraid that the loots will get rejected. But then something heart warming came about. As we give out treats, we've seen them smile. At first they looked all grumpy and tired but as soon as we hand them the sweet treats and greet them "Happy Halloween" (not really sure if our greeting is legit), their faces would light up and they would smile followed by sincere thank yous. Since then, this has become our yearly tradition not only because of Halloween but most importantly, it signals the start of the gift giving season that is Christmas. 

NLEX and SCTEX - Northbound
This year, after Cherienne's trick or treat party in her school, she went on a vacation in my home town - Tarlac City. We were practically home on a Halloween night and we didn't have loots to give out since she took all the treats with her. I thought there'll be no opportunity to carry on the tradition. But on that night, we were set to travel north to fetch the little girl. You see,  there was a 3 day bazaar in hubby's office days before the 31st and I joined in to fill my time while the little girl was away. We sold some baked goods and had some ingredients left. To put them into good use, I baked some goodies -packed them and had them ready to be given to Toll Plaza people.

NLEX  and SCTEX - Southbound
One toll gate at a time. I've got some candies, biscuits, cookies and brownie bites prepared. I've got more than enough to last even on our way back to Manila. Each personnel from each stop had this tired look in their face. Everything changed as soon as we handed over the treats - they smiled, that kind of smile that's just so natural. Some would get confused at first but as soon as we said "Happy Halloween", they got what we were trying to do. Each smile, each thank you was just so uplifting. Knowing that you have touched the life of someone who's a complete stranger to you, in even the simplest way, gives a priceless joy. 

I believe everyone needs to be appreciated at one point. Knowing that someone remembered you especially in your most tiring day gives a positive vibe that will surely be remembered for a long time.

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