My very first day of University and my class Economics 101 there was a lecture called ” No Such Thing as a Free Lunch“.  I suppose this was  how he started off every semester to the green students, just back from summer holidays, just graduated, and still wet behind the ears.

You probably understand the premise. No such thing as a free lunch because it someone has to pay for it. Maybe you are getting that hot dog for free, but someone paid for it, and the cost of it is built or hidden into the price of what you buy from that person.

My professor was wrong, a good thing can be free.

It was reinforced to me today again that good things sometimes just take an effort, some will, some time, but the pocketbook expense is actually minimal.

I am talking about taking the time to acknowledge service, good service, a friendly smile, dedication to excellence. I think as Canadians we are most of us wonderful with saying thank you, but periodically taking the time to write an email to the company really is counted.  As I understand it, one email represents 1,000 people. I guess that means that only one in a thousand will take the time. Sad.

I have been writing emails for years, petrol companies, pharmacies, banks. I write to pass UP the line recognition and appreciation for the efforts that employees make on a daily basis.

What will surprise you is how much corporations LOVE these letters. Anyone can complain and pick out shortfalls after all we are all imperfect, my wife will support that.

But what if someone takes the time to recognize you, it reinforces that positive thing you do and encourages you, doesn’t it?

I was recently at my bank, the manager was helping out at the counter with transactions. He mucked up my transaction, but he caught it and waited until he could talk to another cashier to fix it. I didn’t mind waiting, and I didn’t mind the muck up because I saw he was focusing on fixing it and getting it right. Sure the line up behind me grew a bit, but he didn’t let that pressure him to just push me through the chute so he could lessen the line up.  I grabbed his card and a few days later I wrote to the bank head office.

My surprise today was a heartfelt card in the mail of appreciation  from that bank manager, and even a gift card for Tim Hortons.

Full circle of appreciation, and back again. I felt great to hear the result of my email.

safer here out of the waves

My economics professor was wrong, there is such a thing as a Free lunch, plus I get the bonus of knowing I let that corporation know the good attitude and approach of that man, and they let him know that they got that feedback. He got a great feeling out of that also, that’s kind of a free lunch isn’t it?

Take the time to give someone a free lunch metaphorically, give some acknowledgement, I think you will like it, cancel that, I know you will love it, and you will make someone else feel good also, that’s always a nice result.