His name is Justin. And every time we arrive at the entrance of the basement parking of our condo building during his shift, he would welcome us with his trademark childish smile and open the gate for us (without doing the standard car search anymore). Riki and I, after acknowledging him and passing his post, would (without failure!) automatically look at each other, and sing together “Nobody knows it, but you’ve got a secret smile, and you use it only for me…” and violently laugh our hearts out!
He is our favorite guard in the building. We have several preferred (considered friends) guards there, equally pleasant, but Justin is still at the top of our list. His smile is really captivating-like that of a little cuddly child. It will bring one to your lips as well. And this special smile is reserved for us alone (we are sure of that!). His “secret smile” for us is indeed different that the one he bestows other tenants. The latter is given out of respect. The one for us is out of friendship (and we hope respect as well).
After contemplating on it, we both agreed that maybe this special treatment we are currently receiving from our guard-friends can be the fruit of our efforts to genuinely acknowledge their services for us in the building and treat them as equals. Unlike other tenants who behave as if they don’t exist, just passing them by in the gates or in the building lobby without any form of interaction, we on the other hand (particularly my better half) take time out to make real conversation with them once in a while. And we call them by their first names, not simply “Manong Guard” (which I am guilty of towards the sentinels at my office). My husband takes full credit for that initiave (he has a bigger heart for these people than me and is usually the one encouraging me to act kindly). I guess they truly appreciate the conduct and feel more appreciated.
And of course, it really pays to be extra generous and thoughtful during Christmas.
He is our favorite guard in the building. We have several preferred (considered friends) guards there, equally pleasant, but Justin is still at the top of our list. His smile is really captivating-like that of a little cuddly child. It will bring one to your lips as well. And this special smile is reserved for us alone (we are sure of that!). His “secret smile” for us is indeed different that the one he bestows other tenants. The latter is given out of respect. The one for us is out of friendship (and we hope respect as well).
After contemplating on it, we both agreed that maybe this special treatment we are currently receiving from our guard-friends can be the fruit of our efforts to genuinely acknowledge their services for us in the building and treat them as equals. Unlike other tenants who behave as if they don’t exist, just passing them by in the gates or in the building lobby without any form of interaction, we on the other hand (particularly my better half) take time out to make real conversation with them once in a while. And we call them by their first names, not simply “Manong Guard” (which I am guilty of towards the sentinels at my office). My husband takes full credit for that initiave (he has a bigger heart for these people than me and is usually the one encouraging me to act kindly). I guess they truly appreciate the conduct and feel more appreciated.
And of course, it really pays to be extra generous and thoughtful during Christmas.
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