Friday, October 22, 2010
Just Say Thank You
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On Tuesday, I spent the morning and early afternoon working in the Grove City Public Library on a research project. More than once I approached the circulation desk to get assistance from one of the women I see working at the library every week.
In the text I was reading, there was a heavy emphasis upon the careful choice of words. Especially in research surveys, particular words can sway the outcome and results significantly. Researches carefully debate the precise meaning of words as culturally understood and used in every day language, as well as the implications for accurate reflection of opinions and behaviors.
As I was packing up my books and computer and walking out of the library, I remembered an email I had received earlier in the week. It explained the budget cuts, the salary freeze, the reduced hours, and the general difficulty the public library was suffering due to financial constraints. I stopped at the circulation desk one more time. An elderly woman asked if she could help me. I simply told her that I was aware of how hard the library worked. I told her I was appreciative, that I loved coming the library and that I use it every week. I told her thank you.
Her response was genuine. She said "thank you" in return, but then she asked if I could tell the same thing to the director of the library. She said that it would "make his week, maybe even make his year." What does that say about a person and their profession, that simple "thank you" would "make his year?"
Unfortunately, he wasn't available, so I wrote him a note that contained pretty much the same words. But I left thinking again about the power of words, especially a genuine thank you. The words "thank you" are affirming, they recognize a person's efforts and value, they are life-giving words that are easy to say and can make a huge difference in someone's day.
On Tuesday, I spent the morning and early afternoon working in the Grove City Public Library on a research project. More than once I approached the circulation desk to get assistance from one of the women I see working at the library every week.
In the text I was reading, there was a heavy emphasis upon the careful choice of words. Especially in research surveys, particular words can sway the outcome and results significantly. Researches carefully debate the precise meaning of words as culturally understood and used in every day language, as well as the implications for accurate reflection of opinions and behaviors.
As I was packing up my books and computer and walking out of the library, I remembered an email I had received earlier in the week. It explained the budget cuts, the salary freeze, the reduced hours, and the general difficulty the public library was suffering due to financial constraints. I stopped at the circulation desk one more time. An elderly woman asked if she could help me. I simply told her that I was aware of how hard the library worked. I told her I was appreciative, that I loved coming the library and that I use it every week. I told her thank you.
Her response was genuine. She said "thank you" in return, but then she asked if I could tell the same thing to the director of the library. She said that it would "make his week, maybe even make his year." What does that say about a person and their profession, that simple "thank you" would "make his year?"
Unfortunately, he wasn't available, so I wrote him a note that contained pretty much the same words. But I left thinking again about the power of words, especially a genuine thank you. The words "thank you" are affirming, they recognize a person's efforts and value, they are life-giving words that are easy to say and can make a huge difference in someone's day.
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