That's Why I'm Here.

It was a sold out night for the Flying Squirrels. We were slammed busy selling hot dogs and squirrely fries at Pine Hollow Cafe. With an endless line of customers, they begin to look the same as they stand in front of me. I chat with the ladies and banter with gents to pass time when they wait for their food. We laugh, they get their food and disappear into the crowd. Their face is replaced by the next one. "What can I get for you?" begins the next round. 

No people in line means a break to the side room to sip the allowed water and woof down my nutrition bar. With hunger pangs satiated, it's back to the register to serve more fans.

"What can I get for you?' I asked the man deliberately headed toward me. "That's why I'm here" he said The last time I heard that burgers weren't on his mind.

He went on to say he was enjoying the game with his daughter and her family. It was a special July 4th visit with them. Then I remembered earlier he'd been with a younger guy. They got "Hello Handsome. I love it when the best looking guys get in my line." my usual greeting to all guys. We chatted about things that escape me and soon I heard myself say in response to his comment " I'm single. If you're single, we can chat about that. Do you have a girlfriend?" to which he quickly added "I'm shopping but I haven't bought yet." And so our conversation went for a few light moments. "After you finish all that, come on back for more." I said as they headed into the crowd, arms loaded with food.

Now he really was back. He mentioned he'd gone hiking with his son in Peru and works around the world - now that's my kind of guy. No customers were in line so we talked for a few minutes. Every so often a customer would appear.

"What can I get for you?" I asked. "I'll have a jumbo Diet coke and Jumbo Fries." "Coming right up", I say as I look around to see that I am alone.

The Princesses and Princes have disappeared. With that order filled, Hiker comes back and we resume our chat. "Dang, here's another customer." I think. To Hiker I say "Would you mind stepping over there while I wait on these folks? I don't know where the other cahiers are." He politely accommodated me.

On we chat and here comes Abe, Tall Boss's boss, to clear my register as usual. Here I am being hit on and the big boss shows up. "I hope he understands." I think. This time Hiker isn't moving. What am I going to do? I introduce Abe to him and bingo, I found out his name as they shake hands. Am I embarrassed or what? This is bizarre. This is like being in a sitcom.

With Abe gone Hiker pulls out of his shirt pocket 2 blank cards, handing them to me with a request that I put my name and number on one and give it back. Is this guy smooth or what? One thing I've learned about successful salespeople is they know how to ask for the order. In my best print I honored his request. He put the card carefully in his pocket, said so long and away he went into the crowd.

Suddenly in my face were the Princesses and Princes, "You've got it going on. I can't believe you got hit on. Who knew! What'd he say? Are you going out with him?" they wanted to know. High fives filled the air with shouts of "Way to go!"

"Where were you? I asked. "Several customers got in line and I had to wait on them."

"We were in the side room listening." they beamed.

When I took this gig working for the Flying Squirrels, I never thought I'd be writing about this. And what began as an adventure has turned into research on leadership from the bottom up.   I'll blog more about that later.

For this Labor Day I'm sharing a humorous experience and a gift I've received - compassion for the people who wait on and help me.

As you celebrate your Labor Day holiday with family and friends, think about the people at your office that help you. As you go about this holiday weekend dedicated to working folks, in the moment share your smile with the strangers in front of you wearing those uniforms and laboring to help you have a good time.

Happy Labor Day to you and yours.

PS -  As for Hiker, he sure had all of us feeling good and having fun for an evening.  I still haven't heard from him.