Two words that carry incredible meaning, especially for someone that is not expecting to hear them, are: thank you. Gratitude is one of the simplest ways to show appreciation. It doesn’t cost much, a coffee, a cookie a simple thank you will go a long way when you are able to offer a sincere gesture.
After volunteering for three years in the Guest Relations department of a hospital, I’ve witnessed the lack of gratitude within society.
Now, don’t get me wrong, I’m not expecting a thank you for everything I do, but it’s nice to know that my work is being acknowledged.
As a volunteer I gained several experiences, but one that I can’t really shake off is the time I encountered a “KAREN.”
A middle-aged woman cleared the room as she made her way down to the receptionist’s desk. Eyeing me with a cold eye she yells “Where’s my mother?”
I greet her with a smile and ask “Can I have the patient’s name and date of birth?” She rolls her eyes, as if I should know exactly who she is talking about or as if I was asking the dumbest questions.
After checking our system twice, calling the Emergency Room and a couple of other departments I find out her mother had been discharged earlier that morning. The words “I’m sorry ma’am, your mother was discharg…” slip out of my mouth and immediately get met by “You don’t know anything, you are just a volunteer… I need a manager.”
I may have just been a volunteer, but I had a clear understanding of the do’s and don’ts of my role. I knew I had done my part and even gone out of my way to help her. Most of the volunteers wouldn’t have called different departments.
I’m not naïve. I understand she wasn’t having a good day, but it’s still not an excuse to take it out on me. It would seem that the older we get, the less we realize what other people do for us.
As children we learn to say thank you, make colorful drawings or cereal bracelets to show we appreciate someone. As adults we seem to lose grasp of the importance of appreciation and occasionally give out a greeting card for the sake of courtesy.
I wasn’t asking for much; I just wanted a thank you for trying to help. Appreciation makes a difference; it lets people know you value them or their work.
Be thankful for the little things people do, you may not notice them until it’s too late.
