Good point Shirley. Thank you for bringing this up. So many times people are told in a job what they are doing wrong, but no one ever stops and tells them what they are doing right.

When I was working (many years ago), whenever I got a pat on the back, I felt so appreciated that I would work extra hard. It made me feel so good about myself. Then time passed and new management didn't even notice a good job. Those who did as little as they could were treated the same. After awhile I was one of them and found myself doing just enough to get by even though I didn't like what I had become. Good thing about it was how easy it was to retire with no regrets.

Went to Landry's Seafood, not too long ago, for their awesome New England Clam chowder.

My waiter was exceptional. I told him how good he was and left him a nice tip.

Leaving, manager opened the door for me to exit, and he asked how everything was.

Told him my waiter was absolutely wonderful, and he said he certainly would tell the waiter.

Don't get one as good as him that often.

I find that sometimes I tell people how much I appreciate what they do.

And on occasion I make a comment to someone that I meet in the ordinary course of life, sometimes it's a bit humourous, and seldom do people back off, or cut me off - maybe largely because I look old and harmless, so maybe a good idea to humour him.

Often it brings a smile ... and I like to think that they walk down the street with a bit of extra spring in their step, after.

ole joyful

"Encouragement changes everything"...John Maxwell

And it is sooo true; don't wait till it's to late!

Every morning when I wake up I say: Let me be a blessing in someone's life today. I am sure, lol, that that does not always happen. Maybe more often than not, I am an annoyance, but it is good goal, eh?

And I try to remember when I am out shopping, or dining, to compliment people on good service.

In our fast-paced world, it is not always easy to stop and say Thank You.... but as the previous posters have commented, it could really make a difference in someone's life. None of us know what difficulties others may be facing, and that one smile, or word of encouragement could mean the world to them.

When I was just getting started, I had a boss who made a point of saying "Thank You" to me every evening as I was leaving the office. That meant so much to me that I adopted that practice myself. I always thanked my staff every evening--in addition to thanking them through the day for a job well done. I always got 100% effort from each staff member. They still keep in touch, even though I've been retired for 18+ years!

I also routinely provide positive input (calls, e-mails, letters) to companies for extra special service. Many times, I have gotten a response to let me know that the compliment was passed on to the employee.

My father always taught me that paying a compliment doesn't cost me anything, but it can make another person's day. He is so right!

My DH and I are always appreciative of the waiters and waitresses who take care of us at various local restaurants. If we want something extra or special, like extra salad dressing on the side, we say so as we place the order in an effort to spare the waiter running back to the kitchen one more time. We have been given compliments over the years that they like to wait on us as we are so nice to them. Actually, I don't think we do all that much different, but apparently they get some doozies of customers. One night, as we asked for our check, the manager came over to say that there would be no charge. That this was his last night as manager, and though he had not waited on us or got to know us, he knew how nice we have been as long time customers from the comments of his wait staff, and so for his last night as manager, he was treating us to dinner. We were quite surprised. He explained that he could not afford the cut in pay that being the manager had meant, so the next week he was returning to being a waiter in the branch close to his home.

I often tell my friends how happy I am that they are a part of my life. We are a group of nine ladies who graduated high school together 50 years ago this year. We now live thousands of miles apart, but email at least a couple times a week, and spend a Girls Week on vacation somewhere every year...without the husbands. You're reminded me I need to send a love hug to each of them right now....

We so often forget to compliment those that do a good job. I know I get a little pick me up when someone compliments me!

I try and mention to the manager in a restaurant if I get a good waiter, plus leaving a good tip. The other day I emailed Wegmans to tell them about a guy that works in produce dept. He is always happy and smiling and that day he ran to the back to get me something they were out of-just genuinely helpful and friendly. They said they would make a note of it and tell the man. Hopefully that would help him out when reviews come around or just brighten his day and help him continue to do a good job!

the title of this thread reminded me of a quote the outspoken Anna Roosevelt was supposed to have said: "If you don't have anything nice to say about somebody, come sit here beside me!"

I have a favorite waitress who always is nice to us and goes out of her way. We started to request her when we went there. I called the manager and told him how attentive and nice she was and still is. We always leave a nice tip.

I worked for the federal government (US Social Security) for 31 years. I was a Claims Representative, essentially an interviewer. Our bosses rarely paid attention to verbal complaints, figuring if somebody is mad at Social Security they are probably just grumpy. If the person had a problem (missing check, wrong amount, etc,) it would be addressed and corrective actions taken . The person should control their temper and be patient. However, if someone offered a compliment, the bosses would tell them "nicely" to please write a letter. These letters would be placed in the individual employee's permanent personnel file . I had quite a few nice letters in my file. I didn't get any extra money, but it made me feel good just knowing those letters existed. My favorite "compliment" was a guy who came in about once a year and brought me tomatoes from his garden! I had helped him file his original Social Security application when he first retired/filed. And every time he came in, he would deliberately ask for me and wait to see me. He somehow felt I was his "personal" representative. He must have passed away, because his visits and the tomatoes stopped coming.

It's always good to say something nice when warranted. Even grumpy checkout personnel seem to warm up a bit if a compliment is given. Something as simple as "You're so good at your job." Or "Your hair is beautiful." Makes them smile, and that's a VERY good thing.

My daughter just transferred to Baltimore in December. Last week she got very sick. Dizzy, lightheaded, fever, by morning she had huge white patches on her throat. She doesn't have a family dr. yet since she just moved.

I was at my dr's office getting my allergy shots. I asked the nurse at the desk what she could do since she doesn't have a dr. yet. If there was anything otc or something else she could use. She said she could go to an urgent care center. I never even heard of them. She looked them up for me in the Baltimore area, printed the page out and highlighted 3 of them. Turns out one was on the same street my daughter lives on. DH was down with her so he packed her up and took her. An hour later, she was home with meds for strep throat.

I called my dr.s office, specifically asked for Chris, and told her thank you very much for the help, I really appreciate it. I think she was a little shocked. But I truly was very appreciative.

Good reminder. Sometimes we "think" things but neglect to "say" them. I've been on the receiving end of these kind words, and it does feel good.

I wrote two "Thank you" letters one year; one to my physical therapist and one to the Pharmacy clerk. They had both gone out of their way to provide good service. The funny thing was that same year, the PT used my letter to get another job when the Dr. over PT retired, and the Pharmacy clerk used my letter to get another job when the Pharmacy closed.

I work for a large Federal agency and when ever someone has been especially helpful, I find out who their supervisor is and write him/her a glowing email. I believe that people who do more than what they "have to" do should be recognized.

If you appreciate what someone has done for you, or how pleasant and helpful they are, generally - let them know.

Now.

They may die before tomorrow!

Plus - you know what?

You may, yourself!

Silent tongues can't offer compliments/appreciation.

ole joyful

This posting reminds me of Clay Walker's song THE CHAIN OF LOVE. I am a cook in a small town restaurant. Sometimes I get compliments on the things I cook. Soups, main dishes, desserts and even salads. My problem is I don't know what to say after I get them. After I say TY I usually say I can I can only do my best, but even that doesn't sound right. I do try to give out a lot of comliments though. They make me feel good giving them and getting them. I hope they make the people getting them feel good too and makes other people think about giving them too. We never know why someone may be feeling down in the dump or a little crabby until we walk in their shoes.

I volunteer at the hospital and am always surprised by people. Very few say "thank you" and my co-workers and I go the second and third mile w/ a lot of these people.

But, when we are thanked, and it's sincere and we know it's sincere, it means the world. We work really hard, and the thanks mean a lot.

I've learned from this and I try to be more appreciative of other people. When you're on the receiving end of appreciation, it makes you realize how important it is.

A smile and/or a good morning/afternoon, usually will give you a smile back.

It is "Living by the Golden Rule". What a nice world it is when we practice it.