Free Therapy? Try a SMILE…
I made the serious mistake of going shopping this past weekend, forgetting that it was the “Back to School-Free Tax” weekend. With no kids in school, you tend to lose track. And for those of you not familiar, many states drop sales tax for this special shopping weekend, making it a close second to Black Friday.
Store #1: Lines backed up, only about 1/2 the registers open, and cashiers with heads down, barely speaking, obviously pushed to their breaking points.
Store #2: Lines backed up, ALL registers were open and cashiers greeting, smiling, making conversation, and thanking while they seemed to enjoy their work and kept lines moving quickly.
The result? While customers in #2’s lines were grumbly and impatient, no one complained. Those in #1’s lines? Well, it was a free for all of ranting and loud, negative comments.
Store #2 reminded me of that old song:
When you’re smilin’, when you’re smilin’
The whole world smiles with you
When you’re laughin’, when you’re laughin’
The sun comes shinin’ through
But when you’re cryin’, you bring on the rain
So stop your sighin’, be happy again
Keep on smilin’, when you’re smilin’
The whole world smiles with you
We all know the catchphrase and yes, my Mom did tell me to “smile, or you’ll freeze with that ugly face”! But did you know our Moms were actually kinda right? Just look at this scientific data about smiling:
- A smile can actually boost your mood. Even if you force it, psychologists have found it truly lifts your spirits.
- Smiling boosts your immune system. No joke, it can actually improve your physical health, too!
- Smiles are contagious. Scientists say they really are. A Swedish study showed that people had difficulty frowning when looking at others who were smiling. Their muscles twitched into smiles all on their own!
- Smiles relieve stress. When you smile, your body actually releases those endorphins that make you feel better.
- Smiles are the universal sign of happiness. It’s known around the world in all cultures as a sign of acceptance and happiness.
- It’s easier to smile than it is to frown. Scientists found that you use more muscles and work harder to frown than to smile.
So while you may think this is all pretty cheesy, there is real science behind the act of smiling. Based on my shopping last weekend, the smiling cashiers clearly made the difference…not just in customer service quality, but employee attitude and stress level as well!
Remember, “when you’re smilin’, the whole world smiles with you!” Next time you have an unhappy customer, force yourself to smile at him (it makes you feel better) and see if that doesn’t help you deal with him (it makes him feel better too!). Remember, we cannot resist someone smiling so make sure you wear yours every day. Try it!
“Smile, it’s free therapy.” -Douglas Horton
by Kathy Shook
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