Anyone who knows me well knows that I enjoy meeting up for coffee. Whether it is at the local cafe or one on the other side of the world I adore the experience of cafe going. I am in my element sitting with a good coffee in conversation with someone whose company I enjoy. I am also very happy to sit alone and simply observe my surroundings even when the conversations of others are in a language I do not understand. I find smiles are the same in all languages.
At a very early age, I introduced my little granddaughter to the art of cafe-going. Just like her Nana, she quickly became a fan. She began her love for the cafe experience sitting in a high chair and now, at the age of nine, is very comfortable in that environment. She can place her order, is very mannerly and respectful with the staff, is mindful of the pricing and staff friendliness, and has a very well-developed palate for what constitutes a good hot chocolate.
On her summer vacations, she likes to spend some time staying with me. This year, we decided that we would have a cafe-critiquing adventure. We selected five local cafes, three of which we had regularly visited, and two that were new to us which we would visit and ultimately declare one “The Best Cafe of 2023”.
We had a lot of fun doing this together and it became evident quite early that she was taking it all very seriously. We each had separate pages to independently rate the cafe categories on and yet it became obvious when we compared our ratings that we had similar tastes and both placed much importance on customer service, or as she put it, on “how nice the people are who work there.” Her hot chocolate was not quite hot enough and I encouraged her to go to the counter herself and ask for the staff to warm it. Aside from wanting her to enjoy her hot chocolate to it’s fullest, I wanted to help build her confidence in speaking for herself and I was curious to see how her request, as a child, would be received. Immediately, the staff acknowledged her in front of the counter and asked how they could help. When she explained, quickly and with a smile, they heated her hot chocolate a bit more. She came back to the table smiling.
At the end of our adventure as cafe critiques, the scoring revealed that both of us had given the highest score to the same cafe. The Lawrencetown Beach Cafe, Nova Scotia, was the clear winner.
My granddaughter very excitedly got busy making a poster of acknowledgment to present to the cafe staff. It was important to her that they not only know they had won, but that they receive something for doing so. On her next visit, we journeyed to the cafe with the poster she had made only to discover that they were closed because it was a holiday. An oversight on the part of her Nana in not checking beforehand.
No problem for her. She slid the poster under the door convinced that they would discover it the next day.
On a visit to the cafe without her a week or so later, I was delighted to find that not only had they found the poster but were proudly displaying it at their order window. The young women told me how happy they were to receive it and that other cafe customers, seeing it proudly displayed, had made comments on how lovely a gesture it was. It became a conversation piece – a smile generator.
I took a photo of the poster on display and sent it off to my granddaughter letting her know that the cafe staff were happy to have found it under their door. She was thrilled to learn that.
While it might not seem too big of a deal to hang a child’s poster on your cafe’s order window, the cafe staff of the Lawrencetown Beach Cafe, clearly demonstrated to a little girl, and her not-so-young Nana, how much little things do matter. We acknowledged their efforts as a cafe staff to make sure their customers have a good experience, but perhaps even more importantly was their recognition of the efforts of a little girl of nine and the worth given to her opinion. She will not soon, if ever, forget how well she was treated that day at the cafe and how much her recognition of the staffs’ efforts was appreciated.
Little things, and little people, make a difference. We will go back for more coffee, hot chocolate, and friendly smiles.
What a lovely story, Heather, but more importantly what a memorable, teachable experience for all those involved – the cafe staff as well as Nana and Hana!
Such a beautiful relationship you have built with your granddaughter. I’m sure she will remember it if/when she becomes a grandparent and no doubt pass along some of your influences as she grows.
Thank you Linda. I think it was a “feel good” moment for all of us.
I love this heartwarming story, Heather! Truly, how important are little things, there really is no measure, particularly in relationships! As you described Hana’s experience with you, her Nana, to cafe-critique, I couldn’t help but think of the many life lessons you have imparted by engaging with her thusly . As you say, she will likely never forget how special her gesture of rewarding the winning cafe was and how much it meant to the recipients! Very powerful positive feelings for all involved. It reinforces to me, the importance of attending to “little things” wherever I find myself : at home, with family, with friends, at meetings, shopping or whatever! The person with whom you share a smile, a compliment, a hug , a thank you, or a kind and encouraging word, will hopefully be lifted up to show the same respect and kindness to another human being.
That’s the thing isn’t it? As we pass along kindness and instill moments of joy with out actions, so too will they be likely to pass it along to others. Little acts of kindness carry with them tremendous weight.