Tell Me Something Good – Helping How We Know How

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we have arrived at another ‘tell me something good’ friday – that means we survived st. patrick’s day (which is easy to do when you don’t indulge in booze #thanksbaby)! cheers!

today’s story has a few components. we have moved to the downtown area of cute city called littleton, a suburb of denver. there is straight up a main street that is filled with twinkly lights and adorable shops. i like to pretend it’s stars hollow from gilmore girls except we have views of the mountains (but they have a gazebo).

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i went to investigate our new post office and ship a fairly large box to someone that ordered a few of our products. as i walked in, i was greeted by 9 other people standing in front of me waiting to get to the counter. i could hear the postal worker speaking loudly and a bit strangely to the current customer but turned to my phone to respond to emails.

then the postal worker started apologizing loudly and said he was diabetic and hadn’t had a break to eat anything since that morning (it was about 3pm). that was insane to me and i felt bad for him. he continued rambling in a strange way and when the customer suggested he take a break, he said he couldn’t because he was the only one there to work the counter.


good thing #1: a woman in line reached into her purse and pulled out some type of energy bar and said it was safe for people with diabetes. how nice was that? the worker was very grateful and took a few small bites while continuing his rambling (obviously, he was starting to have some type of diabetic episode).


people were getting frustrated because it was taking quite some time to move through the line. two people eventually scoffed, rolled their eyes and walked out. a few more customers made it through the line and as one woman was getting her receipt, she said she would go get him a burger if he wanted. he said it was okay, rambled more, and called the next customer.

a manager type (i assume he was a manager because he was wearing a satin blue shirt while everyone else was in their canvas uniforms) came over and whispered something to the worker, which set him off. after the manager left, the postal worker said out loud that the police have been called and he would need to shut down the counter in a few minutes to go with them. obviously, this upset the worker but he kept trying to get us through the line.


good thing #2: about 10 minutes later, the woman who offered to bring him some food came back! there is no mcdonald’s within walking distance (to my knowledge) so that means she left the post office, went to get the food and came back to drop it off for this guy! it was honestly super sweet and i told her i appreciated her kindness as she walked past.


photographic evidence since we all know i can’t resist a photo:

mcdonalds

it was unclear whether the police or an ambulance had arrived but just before my turn at the counter, the manager escorted the man having a medical emergency away. i hope he got the help he needed and gets the required breaks he’s supposed to be having!

there were another 6 people in line behind me and the manager came out and told us they’d have to close the lobby because no one else there could access the register – apparently they are short staffed. seemed odd and ridiculous, yes, but sometimes things happen.

two older women were outraged and started yelling at the manager while one demanded free stamps (ha!). with adrenaline coursing through my veins, i calmly said to her “let’s seek to understand the situation. yes, it’s bad they don’t have a back up but there has been a medical emergency.” woo! big deal for an introvert to say anything, folks. that adrenaline carried me all the way back home on my .7 mile walk (with box in hand).


good thing #3: as the manager was announcing that we all needed to leave, one woman in her mid-twenties said, “i’ll take an application if you’re hiring!” the manager laughed and she said she was serious and gave her name and number. i love people who take action!


it was quite an eventful day at my new little post office but it demonstrated to me that there are kind people in the world who are willing to help a stranger in the best way they know how!

okay, let’s hear from you! share something good with me!

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20 Comments

  1. Courtney {Alkeks Abroad}

    March 18, 2016 at 12:10 am

    Wow what a crazy day at the post office! I feel sorry for the poor worker though, I’m glad that woman went and got him food. I know exactly the adrenaline rush you’re talking about, I get it every time I say anything in front of strangers in public.
    Courtney {Alkeks Abroad} recently posted…Three Must-Visit Historic London Buildings

    • chelsea

      March 18, 2016 at 12:39 pm

      i know, it was hard to watch him struggle especially not knowing his full story. ha! glad we have that same adrenaline rush when we speak in front of people ๐Ÿ™‚

  2. Elyse

    March 18, 2016 at 6:44 am

    What a crazy day at your post office but glad someone stepped up and got that worker some food. I hope things change for them for the better. You’ll have to let us know.
    Elyse recently posted…Spring Clean Your Marriage

    • chelsea

      March 18, 2016 at 12:40 pm

      i sure hope so too – it was pretty wild! i sure hope he’s doing better!

  3. Audrey

    March 18, 2016 at 7:16 am

    Whaaat?? Go YOU! Bravo for being the calm voice of reason! It sounds like for every frustrated or impatient person in that post office there were one or two shining souls that made the situation better- you included!
    Audrey recently posted…Help Wanted and Friday Favorites

    • chelsea

      March 18, 2016 at 12:41 pm

      i had to do a lot of self talk to get to that point and i totally channeled what my extrovert husband might do in that situation HA!

  4. Jennifer Haston

    March 18, 2016 at 9:33 am

    Wow, what a nice woman.. I think we could all stand to be a little more ‘ What can I do for you? instead of “what can you do for me”.. I think people in general aim for the good.. but stress makes us do thoughtless things..I run into this with my team.. I say .. If you think about it.. would you say it ? Okay, so think, then speak..I have hormones coursing through my body right now.. that is way easier said then done.. but one thing the little unsexed bean is doing for me is giving me the ability to say.. “this is not vital, its annoying.. and stressful.. but not life-threatening.. so breathe little one.. and let’s take a step back…

    My tell you something good is actually based on an exchange I had with someone this morning. I struggle with “needing to be right” and that is hard when things change (like all the time) so questions need to be asked. I got a pretty accurate but fairly snarky response and as my hackles started to rise.. I said to myself.. this person is very snarky.. but that isn’t about me.. they aren’t being disrespectful or demeaning to me.. its friday and they are going for the “funny”.. breathe, little one, breathe.. I think that is my mantra.. so the moral is to take a breath and figure out where the other person is coming from..

    • chelsea

      March 18, 2016 at 12:59 pm

      i think you’re right about thinking about what we can do for others, jennifer! glad to hear your little bean is giving you ability to take little breathes and realize it’s not life-threatening -that’s great!

      also super impressed with your reaction to someone being snarky – good for you on choosing to see it as they were teasing and see where they might be coming from. that is great!

  5. Sara

    March 18, 2016 at 11:01 am

    It’s interesting how people can react so differently to the same situation. It is a reminder to be more patient and understanding of where other people are coming from. I’m an introvert as well, so whenever I speak up for myself or say exactly what I’m thinking in a situation I’m not completely comfortable in I definitely have that “nailed it!” feeling.
    Sara recently posted…Should You Worry About โ€œLetting Yourself Goโ€?

    • chelsea

      March 18, 2016 at 12:43 pm

      yes it really is fascinating how people can react to different to the same situation, sarah! that nailed it feeling is such a good one – ha!

  6. Amanda

    March 18, 2016 at 12:03 pm

    Crazy day! The range of reactions is what surprises me most. I mean clearly the guy was having a diabetic reaction to low blood sugar, and the manager should have made sure he go a break or at least a snack. Good for you for speaking up for him! I don’t know if I could have done that (#introvertprobs).
    Amanda recently posted…30 before 30 – An Update

    • chelsea

      March 18, 2016 at 12:57 pm

      totally agree – i loved my sociology classes because insight into humans and how we react and interact differently is so fascinating! i had to channel my extrovert husband and say “would he say anything in this situation” and then i rehearsed it and then i blurted it out. haha i feel you, amanda!

  7. Sarah

    March 18, 2016 at 1:11 pm

    This puts my faith back into Humanity! My Grandad was type 1 and regularly had episodes like this postal worker. For him my Nan was always a step ahead and kept a secret stash of biscuits in her purse.

    • chelsea

      March 18, 2016 at 1:17 pm

      glad your grandad had your nan to be always be one step ahead should he gave an episode like this! diabetes is common in my family and it’s scary what having an episode can do to one’s physical and mental state.

  8. Claire

    March 18, 2016 at 2:15 pm

    Awesome post! Great people exist and you never know where you’ll find them.

    Good thing for this week: Tried one of those adult colouring books, and not being the crafty sort, wasn’t sure how I’d like it…turns out, found it incredibly relaxing.

    • chelsea

      March 21, 2016 at 11:39 am

      you are so very right, claire!

      aren’t adult coloring books amazing?! so very relaxing and no skill needed ๐Ÿ™‚

  9. debra

    March 18, 2016 at 3:22 pm

    There is always a huge line at out post office. I know the postal department of our Federal government is struggling but there is a definite need for more postal employees. Hope the guy is ok. That could have turned into a really bad medical emergency.

    • chelsea

      March 21, 2016 at 11:42 am

      agreed completely debra! i sure hope the guy is okay too because you’re right -it could have become very serious!

  10. Marilyn Jess

    March 21, 2016 at 5:56 am

    It is no wonder we hear about shootings in post offices. This kind of staffing isn’t humane, is it? The ones who griped about not getting service couldn’t look at the bigger picture, as you did. Last Saturday, my post office guy, the only one on duty that day. spent a few minutes looking for mail for me, in the back area. A customer came in, an older gentleman. To diffuse any possible bad response to his wait, I took the blame and said, “it’s my fault, he’s back there looking for my mail.” I said it in a lighthearted way, and it worked, since the gentleman said, “no problem,” and smiled back at me. It’s amazing what a smile can do. If only people smiled more, it’s free and can do so much.

    • chelsea

      March 21, 2016 at 11:44 am

      yes, i do believe postal environments can evoke a certain type of especially frustrating places at times!

      glad you were also able to help diffuse what could have been an annoyed/angry customer. you’re right that a smile can go a long long way so i’m glad you’re giving them out freely and getting them in return marilyn!