Retirees In The Work Place

I was down at Hannafords in Essex Center yesterday and bagging groceries at one of the check outs was a former co-worker, now retired. He winters in Florida and comes up to Georgia Shore in the summer, working about 20 hours a week.

He is happy as a lark as he visits with customers while he packs the groceries, offering to help bring the groceries to the car if he feels they need help. I asked him one day why he did that and he told me, he loves getting out and meeting people and the Essex Center Hannafords gives him an opportunity to meet many old friends, although he seemed to have no problem at all chatting with complete strangers. I was about 4th in line at the checkout and watched him chat with each customer who each left with a smile. Such a difference from the young high school kids, who for the most part have great difficulty in even saying "Hi." There is the rare one, however, who is very good with "People Skills."

I know I receive Surveys from Hannafords from time to time and they try very hard to train their people to look at you when they speak (That is one of the questions), however that seems to be very difficult for some people to do.

Next time you are in a store, restaurant, or other place of business, take note of how friendly and personable the person is that serves you.