01/08/2024
On a recent flight to Chennai, I observed something that made me pause. As the crew greeted each boarding passenger with a smile and a warm welcome, only about 10% responded—either with a verbal reply or a simple nod. It got me thinking, why don’t we reciprocate these small gestures?
Is it cultural? Perhaps some of us are conditioned to remain silent, seeing greetings as unnecessary or awkward. Or could it be about social hierarchy? Maybe we see the crew as professionals just doing their job, not expecting anything in return.
Then there’s the possibility of unfamiliarity—perhaps responding to service staff isn’t something we’ve grown up doing. Or are we simply too caught up in our own worlds, too focused on our travel plans to notice or care? Language barriers could also play a role, making it hard to know how to respond.
But beyond these factors, I wonder if it’s something deeper. Are we so stressed by our daily grind that we’ve forgotten how to smile, how to express gratitude? It’s easy to complain or criticize when something goes wrong, but why is it so hard to acknowledge the good?
These small acts of recognition and appreciation don’t take much effort, but they can make a world of difference. So next time you’re greeted with a smile, try giving one back. It might just brighten someone’s day—maybe even your own.
What do you think? Are there other reasons why we hesitate to appreciate good work, yet jump to criticize at the first opportunity?
Share your views in the comments below.
