I had to see a doctor today from one of the departments in the hospital. When I was about to enter the department, I saw a lady in a flowery uniform standing at the entrance, with a smile so wide that anyone would think that they were visiting this really happy place.
As I walked past her, smiling back, she said the most cheerful “Good morning”. I wished her back, smiled and just went in. But I was really curious and so as I sat to wait for my turn to see the doctor, I kept looking at her. And that’s what she did for about half an hour, saying good morning with a smile to everyone who came there.
At this point, I must tell you that this department is one of critical care and so you do see extremely sensitive situations and people in pain as well. And I noticed that, everytime she greeted people, their really sad faces smiled back, sometimes with ease or sometimes with some effort; but there was a smile nevertheless.
I walked back to her and this is what ensued:
Me: Hey hello! So you stand here and say hello to everyone? (I felt so foolish after I asked this because I hadn’t taken the trouble to even frame it better).
She: Yeah, most of the time usually.
Me: Oh wow! I mean…. that’s… that’s just so beautiful! It sure makes people happy.
She: Yeah. I like that. (And flashes another of those awesome smiles).
Me: Thank you! You are really good! (Again, I didn’t say everything I thought of but I guess she understood)
I was there for pretty much the entire day. Except for lunch hour, she was there most of the time, sometimes attending to paper work and sometimes standing in her usual place, greeting everyone with a smile.
This definitely had to go into my favourite lines and one of my favourite people as well 🙂
Have an inspiring week, folks!
Kismitoffeebar 
Are you sure she was not employed by the hospital for this purpose? These days, hospitals come with innovative marketing/customer-retention techniques! I am sorry, but if she was doing it on her own accord it is laudable, nevertheless.
Destination Infinity
I thought of it too later. But sometimes I feel that if the hospital was sensitive enough to come out with something like this, it is welcome.
But no, I think she was doing it of her own accord because from what I know, her main role is to help transfer case files. since there is time between consultations, she was doing this 🙂
SMILE and the WORLD smiles with you for sure 🙂 and it does not take that much to brighten someones days by just a smile ..
Well said Bikram 🙂
Whether paid for or not,the warm and pleasant smile from a lady as one enters the sombre setting of a hospital room should be soothing to the patients.It costs nothing but spreads cheer.
KP,
So happy to see you here after a while 🙂 That’s true. And sometimes spreading hceer is the best treatment 🙂
I agree! Whether she was doing it out of her own accord or was being paid, there’s something about smiling genuinely that will lift people up even when they may be in a worried state of mind!
True true true true! 🙂
a warm smile and a pleasant good morning can do wonders.. I have felt it many times myself..
True Ani 🙂
This might be a marketing technique but it was making people cheerful even if it is for a while.. it is indeed a warm way to release the a little stress.
Yes Jas, exactly what I felt. Doesn’t matter whether it is marketting or not. But to think that they thought of this is a nice feeling 🙂
I have seen this in Narayana Nethralaya here in Bangalore. It might be a marketing technique, but it sure makes people relax, if only for a moment. That said, I have seen receptionists in some hospitals warmly greeting people with a smile – that is of their own accord – and it helps, too.
True TGND! Yes, I agree about receptionists. The ones in this hospital are super awesome too. 🙂
It was so sweet a gesture of that person… could be the hospital’s rule or just that person felt like doing it…but the result must have been surely magical!
You know I have been working as a Customer Service person since past 8 years and I had read once that when you answer your phone with a smile the other person can feel that in your voice.It is so etched in my mind that I automatically smile everytime my phone rings and I go ” Hellooooo!!”
😀
Maybe ! 🙂 It was magical as you said.
I agree with that smile showing in the hello. Satyavachan 🙂
I am sure her mouth hurt like hell in the evening. 😛
On a serious note, it does help people ease up and feel welcome.
hehe Amit! That reminded me of my wedding reception last Novemeber – oh my, my lips lost their elasticity 😛
Yes it does 🙂
i think smile too has power of healing.. i feel so energetic when i get such a welcome in the morning in my day today life.. :).
I agree to the t AM! 🙂
magic power a smile can offer, I often was woke up by a beautiful smile from my innocent daughter. A smile can indeed do wonders 🙂
Absolutely LF ! 🙂
Oh, your daughtie must be an absolute delight! 🙂
A simple HI and Smile can do wonders 🙂 The Tag line I use 🙂
Absolutely! 🙂
And Hi RP! 🙂
🙂