It’s interesting that a simple, “How can I take your order, sir?” can completely change one person’s day.
Twenty-four full hours, altered due to a common question.
Yet, what is also interesting is how appearance seems to affect the listener far more than anyone expected.
If a lower class black man asked the middle class business man what he’d like in his coffee, the business man could reply with any other answer, followed with any other feeling
or emotion.
But while the business man sips his coffee, and the waiter lights his last cigarette outside the local diner,
they both think
of each other.
Their clearly evident differences.
His pristine tie, and shined shoes.
The ever so modest stature he carries without hesitation, symbolizing everything the waiter hates, yet envies.
Wishes he could be.
But his dirty rag hanging out of his back pocket, old shoes, a gift from a former lover for holiday, and his tired yet alert eyes tracing his mistakes.
Resembling everything the business man looks down upon, yet wonders about constantly.
So what if curiosity wasn’t a present factor.
Would the business man and the waiter be neighbors?
Offering to rake each others lawn during autumns worst.
Feeding pets as the other leaves for vacation.
Because, if you and I weren’t here having our morning tea, skimming the New York Times accompanied by lack of conversation, but perpetual eye contact, then I wouldn’t have been able to see how the business man left the waiter a tip with a note.
The simple words, “Thank you”.
Altering his entire day.
