Assertiveness does not imply aggressiveness. As a culture, we have learned to become more assertive and to speak up when, for example, service is not what it should be. Unfortunately, some people forget that just because someone is ‘serving’ us, that does not make them a servant.
People who work in the service industry should be treated with the same respect we would accord to a friend or colleague. Regardless of their educational level, age or occupation, they are human beings like the rest of us.
Service industry jobs often involve hard work and relatively low pay. Often employees are young, and this job may be their first experience in the working world. Rudeness towards these people is inappropriate and unnecessary. Even if they forget something or mess up an order, we can respond with patience and tolerance. We were young once too, and did not always get things right the first time.
We must also remember that their job is only one part of their lives. We cannot know what other struggles or difficulties a worker may be facing in life, or what else has happened that day. A rude comment or humiliating response because someone forgot the cream for our coffee may come at a very high price.
Those who treat others as somehow beneath them do not realize that at the level of spirit we are all equal. None of us is more important than any other. Mother Teresa was a shining example of one who saw the divine in each and every person.
The least we can offer to our fellow humans is respect and dignity.
We can go one step further if they are providing a service and show our thanks and appreciation. In so doing, we make the world a little brighter.
Gwen Randall-Young is an author and award-winning psychotherapist.
