Good Stuff from Joan Eisenstodt

 chose one day to stay home, what would happen?

It wasn't the first thing on my mind this morning when I left to go to a meeting.  It was again pouring rain and a sloppy day.  As I walked down the street,  I saw one of the people who ensure DC's sidewalks are neat and clean.  He was breaking up some boxes someone had left in front of an office building - and you know boxes that have been soaked - it was not a happy experience, I am sure.

He and I stopped about the same place and I thanked him for doing his job well and esp. on a miserable morning.  He smiled at me and said "No one's ever thanked me." I told him that people sometimes forget to do the nice things when they are in a hurry.  I told him I was grateful that he kept the neighborhood so neat.  He said "Somebody has to." 

But the truth is, no one does have to.

At the coffee shop on the corner,  I noticed how nice all the clerks were and the difference it seemed to make for their co-workers and customers.  I listened: the customers who hadn't been back for a bit were welcomed by their orders - you know, "Mr. Sesame Bagel and a latte" or "Ms. OJ and a blueberry muffin."  One of those working greeted a homeless man with a hug...and I hope it made both of their days as much as it made mine.

 Sitting, waiting for my colleague, I sipped my coffee and ate my (from home) matzoh with charoses.  A man, walking by on his way out, leaned in and said "I hope you have a happy Passover."

It all lead me to think about what would happen if all the service workers didn't show up for a day.  We are such an odd culture - knowing we have to have service workers yet paying them badly and rarely extending a smile or words of appreciation.

Housekeepers  and maintenance staff in hotels and office buildings,  street cleaners, coffee clerks, toll takers, garage attendants, and so many more -  there when we need them but paid badly and rarely thanked.

 What if they all stayed home for a day?