We were having dinner at Chili's last night and I learned one important lesson from our waiter. He must have been no older than 22 years old. He was serving a few tables including ours. Our exchange was the typical waiter to customer interaction. Customer asks and waiter serves. Waiter checks on the customer occasionally to see if everything is ok. Customer then asks for more. More tea, more ice. a utensil, etc. Waiter serves. Customer finishes meal. Waiter cleans up.
Once we finish dinner, we ask for the "check" and the waiter brings it. Most times, the waiter places bill on table or hands it to you. Not our waiter tho...
Our waiter extended his arm out for a handshake. Both my wife and I end up shaking hands with him as he genuinely maintains eye contact and says, "thank you and God bless you."
Then we got the "check". I signed that check. I don't remember the taste of my meal or the amount on the check but I remember the handshake and final interaction.
He did the unexpected, elevated the experience with a simple handshake. We were pleased. He was memorable.
Waiters need to bring that intimate connection and we need to do that wherever we are at. This world needs more connection. Less routine stuff and more out of the ordinary stuff.
I bet you can do this at work and at home. Find the ordinary in life and do the unexpected. Be memorable.
