Today I had the pleasure of stopping in at a local Taco Bell here in Oklahoma for a quick lunch.  I say pleasure because that’s exactly what it was!  The whole experience today was superb.

When I first entered the door a gentleman welcomed me to Taco Bell. He was probably 19 or 20 years old, rather tall and had wire rim glasses on. “Welcome to Taco Bell” he said.  I thought to myself – “wow”.  That’s how every business should greet a customer that first enters the door. It’s nice to have a welcome mat thrown down for you.  I then approached the counter area and he had the biggest grin on his face I have ever seen.  It’s like he was welcoming me into his home.

He asked “How can I help you sir?” I told him I just wanted a bean burrito and a small Pepsi.  He asked me if that would be all, and then told me how much my order would be.  He then just blurted out to me. “I love my job”, “I love working for Taco Bell, especially with such nice customers like Mrs. Thomas who is here today too.” The lady next to me smiles. “What are you having today Mrs. Thomas?”, he asks. I pulled out some change and a few dollar bills and he inspects each piece of money in jest as he holds it up to the overhead lights and says, “Yep, it looks like it’s real money.”  I just laughed and smiled at him. He completes my order and looks me square in the face and says – “My name is JT if you need anything else, just let me know okay?” He then said before I walked away “I love my job so much I think I am getting cavities from smiling so much.”

I filled up my Pepsi cup and had a seat in a booth nearby.  Within a few minutes someone else called my name which JT had put on the order.  As I approached the counter I noticed that JT had scooted from behind the counter and was busy in the seating area cleaning up a few tables.  He still had that big smile on his face.  Just then, another customer walked in the door and said “Hello JT , how’s it going?” Once again, he called the person by name and was very happy to see them.

I left Taco Bell today very happy myself. I was happy that I had met someone like JT that made me feel important. Will I come back to Taco Bell? You bet, and you can bet it will be the one where JT is working.  We need more people in the world like JT. People that make us feel like they really want to help us and people who love their jobs.  I have had way to many experiences with people behind the counters that act like they really just do not want to be there.  It’s as if I am imposing on them in some way.  It’s amazing what a sincere smile and a little kindness can do for others and for a business.

A little kindness goes a long way in this world.  Thanks again JT for making my day!