How's your hello?

IT'S THE quality of the hello. That's one of the distinguishing
characteristics of Bill's Coffeeshop and other places like it. These
are the kinds of places where people really are glad to see you. You
get real people saying a real hello.

It's not a televised fairy tale like "Cheers." Or a place where
someone is paid to say hi to you like the greeter at Walmart.

Oh, each of us who has been behind the counter at Bill's has had our
days. I certainly have growled at my share of people while working in
the coffeeshop. But that's not typical.

What is typical is a strong, genuine hello. It's the kind of hello
which makes you feel special and makes the shop or store seem special,
too. This kind of hello is far more likely to be found at
locally-owned businesses. It's far less likely to be found at the
chain stores, whether it be fast-food outlets or big-box stores.

This kind of hello not only makes you want to come back again. It also
gets you thinking of how to give this kind of hello along to others.
In the coffeeshop, we see this as passing the spirit of Bill
along to others.

Bill had a genuine hello for each person who came into the coffeeshop.
His example can be an inspiration for all of us. My wish for this week
is that each of us has lots of opportunities to give Bill-sized hellos.

* * * * *

I was thinking about this whole idea of welcoming people one recent
evening and found myself surrounded by a number of voices. Now, don't
be alarmed. Those of you who know me know of my interest in theater. Over the
years, I've had a hand in creating a number of fictional characters
for the stage.

On this particular evening, a number of my favorite characters stopped
by to pass along their ideas of a welcome.

Harry, the aging hippy, is one. He always does his welcome with a
protest sign and a ponytail. His hello goes something like this: "Hey,
I know these guys. We went through the 60s together."

Anne, the aspiring comedian is another. But she often starts laughing
even before she starts the joke. "Say, shouldn't you dress up in a tux
or something if you're going to welcome people," she said. "That would
be a great te to tell the penguin joke, you know the one from Prairie
Home Companion. It's even in the movie.

"It goes like this...There were these two penguins...
The first one says: Hey, you look like you're wearing a tuxedo?
To which the second one says: Who says I'm not.

Neighbor Daryl is another character. "No problem saying hello," he
said. "Just ask 'em: 'Hey, how about those Twins?'"

Super salesman Francis X. McCarthy always has one thing on his mind.
"I'd just say hi and then try to sell them something."

Finally, there is the character Janelle. She always wants to greet
audiences, but is extremely shy. "Let me, let me," she said. "I could
do a great welcome."

"No," I responded. "Do you remember the last time?"

"You mean when I tripped and fell on that guy who came into the coffeeshop?"

"No, I was thinking of the time when you came out to say hi and threw up."

"Oh, Tom, that couldn't be helped. That was my old boyfriend."

This advice from my imaginary friends is great fun, even if it isn't very
helpful. But it did get me thinking a lot about the quality of the
welcomes I give to others in my life.

And it reminded me again of the importance of the greeting we give
each other in the coffeeshop and in our daily lives.