My Struggle

"Society cares for the individual only so far as he is profitable" Simone de Beauvoir

I came across this quote by Simone de Beauvoir, who, the only thing I know about her is that she, was a French author. Whenever I check my gmail, there's always a funny quote above that I once in a while like to read. Today's was " to catch a husband is an art; to hold him is a job". I really liked it so I clicked on the link to see what other brilliant quotes this woman had written and that's when I came across the one above.

In working at Starbucks there's definitely a theme that keeps circulating in my head, one that is often hard to remember when you've got the human race parading at your cashier everyday and that is 'that every human being should be treated with respect and dignity...regardless of who they are.

For the most part, the customers I serve are always nice, some might get irritated when it takes me awhile to find the correct label to ring their drink on the register, but once I inform them that I'm new they always change their demeanor and treat me a little better, but for some, nothing ever changes.

There are moments I have felt an inch tall, just by how people will either ignore my greeting and go right ahead to making their order and no matter what attempt I make to either smile or be nice to them, goes right above their heads. I hate those moments. Sometimes I feel like I want to ask them why they can't reciprocate the same gesture I've offered. But just today I was reminded how easy it is to become the bitchy customer. I went into Starbucks and the barista was taking a little longer than I had hoped...and I was running late, so what did I do? I became a tad bit agitated and completely forgot that I have been on the other side receiving the bitchiness. Help me Jesus!!!!!!!

The reality is that we are often nicer, kinder and friendlier to people who will benefit us in one way or another. It might not be financially, but some shape or form that the other person contributes to help speed up or advance whatever goals we have in life. We treat rich people very differently than we do the poor. And I have shamelessly done this more times than I'd like to admit.

In my store there are a lot of corporate people who come in and I can always tell those who work for Nordstrom's corporate office and those that maybe work a security job. There's something in me that always changes with each of these people...which I loathe, because if truly every human being is created in the image of God, then there shouldn't be a difference in how I treat a person with an Armani suit or a simple shirt and pants or even someone who is homeless or down and out.

So this is my struggle. To treat every human being alike...and I mean EVERY HUMAN BEING. To remember that every human being wants to know that they count, they are important, that they matter. I'd like to say that I'll be able to treat every person the same, but I know I won't because it's almost second nature to me to have these prejudices, but I want to try to see every person through the same lens...so God help me.

Here's a challenge for those who know me. Next time you are at a Starbucks or any other store, where you hold more power as a customer, take a minute and imagine that it was me who was serving you and hopefully you'll be able to treat the person serving you a little better than if you only saw them as a your server or complete stranger. I think this is where Jesus' command comes in handy...'do unto others as you would have them do unto you'.