How to Double Your Salary – Are You Nice ??? (Part 9)
Image sourced by Kristina Paparo @krispaparo
Last week, I met Amy on Bumble, the online dating App.
On paper, she seemed like a good match.
We texted a bit and spoke on the phone once. At the end of the call, she asked if I wanted to meet.
Great idea.
We met at a bar in White Plains, New York, had a drink and shared part of a Margherita pizza.
To my delight, we talked nonstop for almost an hour and a half.
Although she seemed a bit reserved throughout, she did smile and laugh numerous times. I thought things looked promising. Or at least I hoped so.
We walked towards our cars and I asked if she wanted to get together again. “Yes,” she said.
Great news, or seemingly so.
A few days later, I texted Amy to make some plans. . .
Her reply:
“Hi! It would be nice to stay in touch but I don’t feel a romantic connection.
Hope you’re enjoying the beautiful wkd!”
OUCH!
Did that mean that she didn’t think I was handsome?
Or that my quirky sense of humor was well quirky?
Or perhaps that my conversation style wasn’t quite as charming as I think it is?
Well, I was enjoying the weekend until her text arrived. Thank you very much.
I thought about responding right away but decided to let the dust settle and cool off.
Instead, I’m writing this blog post to vent and share a few insights.
As my mom, G-d rest her soul, used to say, “It’s a small world. And it pays to be nice to everyone because you never know who you’ll meet along the way.”
If the shoe were on the other foot, I would have written:
“Dear Amy. Thank you for treating me to a drink and pizza. I enjoyed talking with you but as I thought about it, I don’t feel we’re a good match. I wish you all happiness. Amy.”
Now Amy’s text may not have bothered you, but somehow it struck a chord in me.
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You may remember a telecom company MCI Telecommunications. MCI is now buried somewhere inside Verizon.
In the early 1980s, MCI ran a promotion and gave customers frequent flyer miles on United Airlines based on your spending. As I recall, five points per dollar spent.
Somehow, MCI didn’t add my points to my United Airlines frequent flyer account.
I called MCI customer service to inquire about my missing miles. . .
The customer service rep was very cheerful. Somehow I sensed that she was in an exceptionally good mood.
I asked, “Wow. You’re in a great mood. You going on vacation this week?”
“Actually Yes. Tomorrow,” she replied. “And in fact, the last person who called blasted me for some silly reason. Crazy!”
I explained my situation calmly and asked about the missing miles in a matter-of-fact tone and style.
“The maximum number of United Airlines frequent flyer miles I can give you is 25,000. Would that be okay?”
“Wow. That would be amazing! Thank you so much.”
At the time, 25,000 frequent flyer miles equaled the cost of a U.S. domestic round trip ticket on United Airlines.
Sounded fantastic to me!
I was hoping to receive 5,000 miles. 25,000 miles was a gift.
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So I ask you, “Are you nice ???”
“Are you nice all the time?”
“Or enough of the time?”
And more realistically, “Could you be nicer more often?”
Now, I’m not saying any of us is nice or courteous 100% of the time or that you should be fawning or over the top sweet as pie when you aren’t feeling it.
But I Do Believe the world would benefit from more courtesy, kindness, and appreciation!
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If you’ve been following Budgeting and Grow Rich®, you know that my Dad was a tough guy, in fact, too tough on my brother and me!
He used to tell my brother and me, “Be nice to everyone.”
Actually, I agreed with Dad on this one.
Although he took it too far, on many an occasion, we were nice to people who weren’t particularly nice or courteous to us.
My children?
I told them, “You don’t have to like everyone, but you sure don’t have to tell them.”
Truth be told, it’s a small world! And we never know who we may meet as we proceed on our journey.
25,000 points on United Airlines – a FREE US Domestic ticket. Money in the bank!
Not bad for a few kind words and a little courtesy.
Give it a whirl. And double your salary!
Adopt these 14 ways to be nice or nicer as the case may be:
Smile more often.
Say “Thank You!”
Be appreciative; be grateful; and show appreciation!
Ask people how their day is going.
Listen actively.
Make eye contact.
Wave and say “Hello” to people you pass by. Several mornings a week, I walk a mile or two. I say “Hello” to everyone I pass by en route. They respond in kind!
Share.
Be generous, within reason.
Perform acts of kindness.
When you’re annoyed, irritated or in a rotten mood, hold your tongue. Think twice before blurting out something you may regret.
If in doubt, keep your lips sealed. Shhh. . .
Before you hit send on that sharp, nasty email, wait 24 hours – a ‘cooling off period’.
And as my mother used to say, “If you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything.”
These tactics don’t cost a dime.
Amy, if you happen to be reading this. . . “No, I really don’t want to keep in touch with you!”
☺ ☺ ☺
Would you?
Truth be told, we all know these practical tips, but this list reminds me to be more friendly, be more courteous, and well, be nicer more often.
The result is that it’s likely that you will be better received, more likable, and more people will want to deal with you!
And that leads to more opportunities, including the opportunity to double your salary.
Be careful out there. It’s rough sometimes! But you can make life work for you!
Thank you for tuning in!
See you next week,
Arthur VanDam
P.S. 10X your success. Click here.
Budget and Grow Rich® – ISSN: 2992-9296 – USA International Standard Serial Number
Disclaimer: OH and Please Remember, we are Not financial advisors, financial planners, attorneys or accountants and are Not providing any specific financial, tax, accounting or legal advice here. Be sure to conduct your own due diligence and consult your own professional advisors to get sound professional advice that’s specific to your financial and personal circumstances, risk tolerance, time horizon and investment goals and objectives among other key factors!
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