Thanking people in a thankless job
By nicolec
@nicolec (2671)
United States
May 9, 2007 9:24am CST
Yesterday was garbage day. I can't imagine being a garbage person, having to walk behind a smelly truck all day emptying other people's trash. This is probably one of the biggest thankless jobs.
So yesterday moring I was leaving for work about the same time the garbage men pulled up. The one man grabbed my trash can, emptied it and headed back to the curb. I walked to the end of my driveway to meet him. I reached out my hand to take the trash bin from him, smiled and said thank you.
But then, I couldn't believe what happened. He walked right by me. Did not say a word and continued to put my bin on my lawn. Instead of leaving it where I was standing. So I walked over to the bin, on the lawn, grabbed it and said thank you again. Perhaps, he didn't hear me the first time. But I got nothing back.
Now I'm not even sure this man spoke english, even though 'thank you' is a pretty standard english phrase. And perhaps there are a bunch of other reasons as to why he didn't hear me or say anything. But to walk right by me while I was standing there prepared to take the trash bin from me? With a smile on my face? Regardless of any language barriers, it's amazing what a smile can do.
So here I am thanking some one in a dirty thankless job and I got shafted. What a shame really.
Do you take the time to thank people doing the dirty work? Woudldn't you think they would be appreciative of it?
1 person likes this
3 responses
@filmbuff (2909)
• United States
12 Jun 07
Don't feel too bad for the garbagemen. They make a very good living, have a stable job with excellent benefits and pretty good retirement plan.
I doubt the guy was ignoring you. Many garbagemen are hard of hearing, or wearing ear protection or both. Those trucks make a lot of noise and chances are he had no idea what you were saying, if he knew that you were saying anything to him at all.
Minnie Mouse is HOT!
filmbuff
1 person likes this
@brand4less (1061)
• Indonesia
9 May 07
well..my parents said that if you want to give someone with your right hand then let the left hand doesn't know about it.in this case,just ignore that man,if you think he didn't thank you enough then let it be.at least you already know you did something good.it might won't be noticed by the man you helped but it surely won't miss from the God's eyes :))
@deanbenji (83)
• United States
11 Jun 07
Some people are just like that. I wouldn't worry about it. I'd imagine being a garbageperson most people probably don't speak to you very often. They always look so busy. My oldest kid waves hi to them all the time and they usually wave hi back, but that's when they are in the truck.
