Hi! My name is Kelsey, calling from Boulder, Colorado. So, I had an experience today in the grocery store, where it was Whole Foods. Of course. And they’ve been incredible about cleaning the checkout stands in between people, which means that the line is very, very long, and that it takes a while to get through the line and you have to be extra patient. And I think that’s what I’m calling to talk about is patience and understanding.
I feel like, especially in difficult times like these, people can become impatient and want to lash out, just to relieve some of the stress that they’re feeling. And I saw that happen today. The man behind me misheard the guy, the store clerk who was guiding people, and move ahead too soon. And the store clerk had to tell him to move back. And the guy got kind of angry. And then the store clerk said, I’m sorry, just deal with this.
We know it’s annoying. It’s just we’re trying to do our best. And I think that everybody’s trying to do their best and it’s easy to slip into a very comfortable space of being annoyed with others. Like, I’ve noticed that in myself. I’ll get irritated with others because they’re not adjusting in the same way I am, or as fast as I am.
And I just like to share a wish for people that whenever you feel that anger or frustration flare up around something Covid-related, to just take a really deep breath and put yourself in the shoes of that person. When the man behind me reacted angrily towards the store clerk and the store clerk said, sorry, that this is so annoying. I turned around and loudly proclaimed that, no, it’s not annoying and it’s necessary, and thank you and sorry that people are kind of frustrated with you for doing something that protects everyone.
And it’s hard to separate the comfort of the little irritations with people daily because it makes it seem normal. And to actually acknowledge, no, he needs to wipe down that kiosk before the next person goes there. And yes, it takes more time, but everybody will be healthier for it.
So I guess my message is just about patience and empathy. And whenever you’re feeling frustrated with something that’s taking longer than it usually would, just think about why and imagine that you are someone vulnerable who was being protected, by the extra action and that extra few seconds, which gives us time to really think instead of just bust through our days without any thought at all.
That’s it. Thank you so much for setting up this recording and I hope that this brings something or new thoughts to someone.