The Power of Empathy

I have always considered myself a friendly person, however my interaction with the public has not been so wide since I have always worked behind a screen and my circle of friends is quite small.

In 2018 my life had a sudden change, which made me leave the region I was living in and return to my parents, where they gave me the opportunity to work in their restaurant as a manager.

As a restaurant manager, I had countless interactions with customers every day. Many of these interactions are unremarkable, and I move through my day, serving food and chatting with regulars. But there was one seemingly small moment that had a big impact on me, and it involved a customer who came in to the restaurant one afternoon.

She was a middle-aged woman who was a regular at our restaurant. She usually ordered a light salad with a side of bread and always greeted me with a warm smile. On this particular day, however, her demeanor was different. Her eyes were red and puffy, and her voice was shaky.

I asked her how her day was going, as I always do, and she looked down at her feet before replying that she had just come from her brother's funeral. Her voice cracked as she spoke, and I could tell that she was trying hard to keep herself together.

I was taken aback by her words, unsure of how to respond. I had only ever seen this woman as someone who came to the restaurant to eat and chat, and it never occurred to me that she might be going through something so difficult.

But as she continued to speak, I felt a sense of empathy wash over me. She told me about her brother, how they had grown up together and how much he meant to her. She talked about his struggles with mental illness and how much she had tried to help him throughout his life.

As I listened to her, I realized that even small moments like this could have a profound impact on someone's life. Her vulnerability and honesty in that moment touched me, and I felt a heightened sense of responsibility for the people who came through our restaurant doors.

After she finished her meal, I walked her to the door and gave her a hug. I didn't see her for a few weeks after that, but that conversation stayed with me.

I began to think about the people who come into our restaurant every day, and how each one has their story, their struggles, their joys, and their sorrows. I realized that the way we treat people in small moments like this one can have a big impact on their lives.

I started to pay more attention to the details of my customers' lives, to their tone of voice and the way they interacted with our staff. I tried to be a more empathetic manager, going out of my way to reach out to customers and make them feel seen and heard.

This encounter also made me reflect on my own values and priorities. As a manager, I felt that I had a responsibility to my staff and my customers, to create a welcoming and supportive environment that could help people through difficult times.

I began to take steps in my personal life to live these values, volunteering at a local mental health charity and becoming more involved in my community. I realized that I wanted to work in a field where I could connect with people and make a positive impact on their lives.

Looking back on that conversation with the regular customer, I realize how much it changed me. It made me more mindful and empathetic, and it taught me to appreciate the moments that we share with others, even if they seem small or insignificant.

I think that this is true for all of us. We never know what someone else might be going through or how much a small act of kindness or empathy might mean to them. It's up to us to stay present, to listen, and to be open to the ways in which we can connect with and support one another.

In the end, it is these small moments that can have a big impact on our lives, changing the way we view ourselves, others, and the world around us.