The Smiling Faces Of Des Moines Retail

Hello shoppers... 

A very famous person often said, "Bring your smile with you or stay where you're at."  That very famous person was my grandma, who is famous only to me but that's enough. 

She tended to offer these sage words of advice to me at moments throughout my childhood when putting a smile on my puss was the absolute bottom rung last thing on my "to do" list. Over time I learned to follow her advice - first because it was safer to do so, later because it became a habit and now because I've grown into the man my grandma wished me to be. 

For those who stand on their feet for 12 hour stretches serving the not always patient public for not always substantial compensation, the idea of smiling may also be somewhere other than top-of-mind. Yet when we as shoppers are greeted by a grinning host, clerk, server, greeter or any employee working the front of the store, it is transformative to our heart, like a warm blanket fresh out of the dryer, wrapped round our soul. And so those on the other side of the retail counter who consistently smile at us, should be rewarded - with our personal thanks and our shopper's loyalty.   

Here, then, is a tribute to the smilers among us - 24 employee smiles during a 24 hour retail journey throughout Des Moines, plus a few sage utterings on the subject, from people who likely learned the words from their grandmother. 

I dare you not to smile back. :) 

"Before you put on a frown, make sure there are no smiles available." - Jim Beggs 

"Everyone smiles in the same language." - Unknown 

"Smile - sunshine is good for your teeth." - Unknown 

"A smile is the universal welcome." -Max Eastman 

"Smile - it increases your face value." - Unknown 

"A smile is something you can't give away - it always comes back to you." - Unknown 

"If you smile when no one else is around, you really mean it." -Andy Rooney 

 "Wrinkles should merely indicate where smiles have been." -Mark Twain 

"People seldom notice old clothes if you wear a big smile." -Lee Mildon 

"You haven't lost your smile at all - it's right under your nose. You just forgot it was there." - Unknown 

"If you see a friend without a smile, give him one of yours." -Unknown 

"Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around."              -Lee Buscaglia 

"A smile happens in a flash, but its memory can last a lifetime."       -Unknown 

"The robb'd that smiles, steals something from the thief." -William Shakespeare 

"You've got to get up every morning with a smile on your face. And show the world all the love in your heart. Then people gonna treat you better, you're gonna find, yes you will, that you're as beautiful as you feel." -Carole King 

"What sunshine is to flowers, smiles are to humanity. They are but trifles, to be sure; but scattered along life's pathway, the good they do is inconceivable." -Joseph Addison 

"Smile! It irritates people." -Unknown 

"Children learn to smile from their parents." -Shinichi Suzuki 

"Smile at each other, smile at your wife, smile at your husband, smile at your children, smile at each other - it doesn't matter who it is - and that will help you grow up in greater love for each other." -Mother Teresa 

"A smile is nearly always inspired by another smile." -Unknown 

"A smile will gain you ten more years of life." -Chinese Proverb 

"The shortest distance between two people is a smile." -Unknown 

"Smile! If you can't lift the corners, let the middle sag." -Unknown 

"A smile is an inexpensive way to improve your looks." -Charles Gordy 

Have a nice day! 

Jonnie Wright is a customer service evaluator and trainer, professional secret shopper, marketing strategist and radio show host. "The Unsecret Shopper" can be heard Saturday mornings from 8-9am, on 1350 KRNT. Email him at jonniewright@thebuyosphere.com.