It is a well-known fact that perfect service in a restaurant is achieved by not noticing that the waiting staff exist (more or less). Your glass should be filled when it becomes empty, your table should be clear when you have finished, you should have all the condiments you need etc. You should not hear trays and glasses clattering to the floor, you should not be barged into and you should not have tomato sauce splashed over you by a careless member of staff.

I started to think about this when reflecting upon a couple that I know from church.  They both help out in a number of areas and have done for years.  They are very quiet and unassuming and 100% reliable.  They are lovely people and in the best possible way, you hardly notice them.  I think that this is what God means when He says stuff like when you give, “do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing”.  Much like the restaurant though, you would REALLY notice if they were not there.

The same rules apply in any area of the service industry.  Sometimes you do need a person who you can notice, but what a difference it makes when they are cheerful, friendly and helpful.  I have recently tried to make a real point of thanking and honouring people who exhibit this level of service, rather than moaning when service is bad.  I am making a point of writing to people’s managers if they are particularly helpful, in the hope that they might be noticed.  I thank people in shops if they help me and sometimes email people or write to them personally to thank them for something.

Maybe we can start a revolution?  Hehe.