Say My Name & Make My Day

In this new world of IDK TTYL BRB LOL 🙂 we are at the point where to human connection seeming further away everyday. Birthday wishes now come in the form of TXT or social media wall posts. We say Happy Holidays via mass text messages. The personal touch is going out of style.

When I was younger I used to read people’s name tags to mess with them. I’d talk to the person like I know the. I’d say things like “Hey James long time no see” and watch them struggle to figure out where they know me from and recall my name. Like I said I was young.

A few years ago I started using this information positively. I decided that I would greet the person by name instead of the usual nod and smile people do (at least that I do). It turns out to have been a great experience. If I make eye contact with a person as I pass them I’ll say “Good morning Joe” or “Have a nice day Liz” instead of the normal “hi” that sometimes seem uncomfortably obligatory. Who can forget that most insincere “how you doing?” that people say to each other as they walk by. The other person often responds with the same question or says “Good thanks. And yourself?” but by that time the person is long gone since no one listens to the response.

I even took it to the stores and other businesses I frequent. When I walk by employees, I acknowledge them by name. If I’m stopping someone to ask a question, I greet them by name. After my purchase is rung up, I thank the cashier by name. The name is already plastered on their chest where it takes no effort to read. My interactions generally end with me saying “Thank you NAME. Have a great day!”

The reactions have been priceless. When someone is running into a store after a long day at works and someone takes the time to smile at them and say “good afternoon Ann” or “hello Kevin” you can see the reaction taking place. Yes there is the original confusion, but that is followed by a genuine smile. That’s when you know you made a difference in the moment for that person. That tired look in their eyes, or the dazed look of being in their own little world disappears for a quick second. You are not necessarily changing the person’s life, but you make a difference for them in that moment- and possibly the rest of the day.

We spend so much of our time being identified and identifying others by numbers – Social Security #, Student ID #, Employee ID #, account #, Unit #… Some times it’s just refreshing to get that human connection.

So the next time to can see someone’s name address them by name. Greet them by name. Thank them by name. It’s an experience that is likely to bring a smile to their face and most definitely yours.

 I’m just saying though…

Dream Big… Live Bigger…
DrJudiC
www.DrJudiC.com