These people might be extraordinary in their own right, but these small actions are also worth toasting, with you treating them to their drink of choice if the opportunity should somehow present itself.
- The salesperson who says: “Hello! Let me know if I can help you find anything.” and leaves it at that.
- A tailor who won’t argue with you, but instead gently guides you back to reality when your thinking is off.
- The retail cashier who asks if you’ve brought the 20% off coupon with you, and when you say no because you had no idea there was a coupon available, they then sneak one out from under their register’s keyboard for your purchase.
- Anyone who says: “Looks good” instead of: “Did you get a hair cut?!” when you change it up a bit.
- Someone who’s not too shy to tell you plainly, without making a big deal about it, that you’ve got something stuck in your teeth, hanging out of your nose, or worst case scenario, that thing that was hanging out of your nose is now stuck in your teeth.
. - The guy at the liquor store who informs you it’s cheaper if you get the package deal with the logo glass.
- The bartender who knows what your tastes are, and encourages you to try a taste of something just in before going with an old standby.
- The couple who slides a seat down at the bar without being asked so you and your date can grab a seat.
- The person at the grocery store with a full cart who tells the guy behind him who’s buying nothing but a stick of beef jerky and a six-pack that he should cut in front of him.
- The UPS/FedEx/Mailman who tucks those packages out of sight where only you will see them.
. - That legion of wool/tweed pencil skirt clad ladies this time of year…
- … especially those who work some tasteful knee high boots into the mix.
- The guy who can’t dance who dances anyway because his date wants to dance.
- Fans who genuinely congratulate the visitor in the visiting team’s jersey after the home team loses.
- The meter maid who tears up the parking ticket.
. - The boss who at 2:00 in the afternoon before a long weekend says: “Go on. Get out of here.”
- The friend who always calls on his way over to a big party at your place and asks if you need him to pick up any last minute food, beer, limes, cups, charcoal, circus animals, etc…
- The older lady with the southern accent who works at the DMV/Courthouse/movie theater who calls all the guys “hun” and the women “darlin'” (and you don’t live in the south).
- People who can talk politics with an open mind….
- …and won’t talk about them on Facebook (or in the comments on unrelated websites.)
. - Couples over 50 who still hold hands or walk arm & arm.
- The guy who leaves the sports section in the can at work every day.
Hats off to you if you fit any of these descriptions.
22… always nice to see.
11 and 12. Absolutely
23. tomservo
As appreciative #22 is, it’s kinda nasty when you think about it. lol
The server that makes comps your soda after having a a beer or two!
A+ article. Great list!
Great list! Especially 19 & 20!
Philip Rivers and his O-line….. Well I mean you did say “unextraordinary”….
23. The blogger who is inspired by a newspaper hanging in the john, takes a picture, and turns that picture into a feel-good post about drinking.
weird numbering
Remember to wash your hands.
A little bit of humility goes a long way with #15. I was walking up to my car in college when a meter maid had just started to write me a ticket for an expired meter. I just sort of walked up and said “ah…you got me…I knew I wasn’t going to make it back in time.” I think she was used to students coming up and swearing at her, and she ended up printing off something else, and told me that if I took both slips to the station that they would void the ticket!
24: The airline ticket counter agent that doesn’t hassle you about your bag being a few pounds over!
Buy them a drink!
I’ve never seen #15 happen. Ever. At least not in NYC.
Applause.
“The boss who at 2:00 in the afternoon before a long weekend says: ”Go on. Get out of here.””
What’s that feel like? I’ve only seen it in the movies.
I have to disagree with this one, having worked for at least one boss who did this every long weekend: just schedule a half day/early-release so people can make plans! #gainfulemploymentproblems
Unfortunately, I’ve never met #19, that seems like a fun person to talk to.
Zing!!
http://i.imgur.com/YRptY.gif
#24 – The bus driver who lets you board with your hot coffee during the freezing cold of winter despite the clearly-labeled anti-beverage notice hanging on the door.
#25 – The front desk clerk at the airport who lets your bag fly despite your bag being just 2 pounds over.
#26 – The guy who purposefully passes on that “rock-star-parking” spot at the store knowing that someone less able-bodied than him would benefit more from it than he.
Joe: you’re a writer and you’re publishing your work. It’s time to invest this disposable income in a grammar and usage manual to master the differences between “your” and “you’re” (see #2), and while you’re at it maybe bone up on “who” v. “whom” (…you should buy a drink).
We’ll agree that people who correct your grammar are decidedly *not* people whom you should buy a drink, but as a published writer you’ve got a responsibility to use your tools correctly.
Thanks for the otherwise great blog.
I am going to have to disagree with #11… unless she is your date or good friend.
#firenorv and while I’m on the subject of pro SoCal sports coaches.. #firemikebrown as well.
The guy at the garage who comes out after your unannounced pop-in and fills up your power steering fluid because the tank is empty and bubbling and doesn’t charge you a dime! Thank you, sir!
Believe it or not, you can actually send comments like this to joe@dappered.com. A quick scan of the page doesn’t reveal that contact address, so I’ll assume that it was ignorance of that fact that led you to post so conspicuously. Unfortunately I have no other method of contacting you, either, so I will repeat your offense.
I have some suggestions for you, as well. In situations like these it’s best to lend others the benefit of the doubt. After all, “you’re/your” errors are typos in the vast majority of incidents, and the “who/whom” distinction is largely dated, especially in cases similar to the title of this article. There’s no need to condescend to the point that you have. None at all.
Finally: it’s widely considered rude to make assumptions about others’ incomes, especially when you don’t actually know that person. If you find yourself making these sorts of errors on a regular basis, I’m sure you can invest in a book that will illuminate the matter for you.
Ah. Just seeing this now. Thanks Stephen for the backup. I’ll respond to Dave now.
HI YA DAVE.
So listen. The speed at which Dappered publishes things is somewhere between sound and light, leaning heavily towards light. So typos happen. They just do. I am in fact aware that “you’re” = you are and your = possession of something. But my fingers sometimes just move a little faster than my brain. Why it ended up being the incorrect and longer version here, I dunno. I even have someone who edits the posts, but by the end of the day she can miss stuff to. This might come as a surprise to someone like you, who never makes a mistake ever (I kid) but it really does happen.
As far as the who v. whom, I specifically asked an English major (one who gradumacated and all that stizuff) about this very subject. This was the exchange:
“First, the rule:
Who and whoever are for subjects.
Who and whoever also follow and complete the meaning of linking verbs. In grammarspeak, who and whoever serve as linking verb complements.
Whom and whomever are for objects — all kinds of objects (direct, indirect, of prepositions, of infinitives, and so on).
Go with who”
1. I don’t know what the hell any of that means and at this point in my life, I don’t have the time to learn. I’ve gotten this far without it. And yes, it’s embarrassing but hell man. So is most of life. Maybe my English consultant had a typo at the end of the email and left off the “m” in whom, but his “go with who” is what I went with. At least is shows due diligence. And even if he did make a mistake? It’s a grammar mistake on some measly website about things that don’t make a real damn difference in the grand scheme of things.
As far as being a published writer having a “responsibility to use” my tools correctly… does that include shoving those tools up your rear end?
Thanks for the kind words about the site. Glad you enjoy it.
Right. maybe not the folks to drink with.
*too
The server who recommends something they usually prepare for themselves at their restaurant. Like the grilled Ham & Cheese I had the other day that they threw bacon on. That’s a drink.
The people at the lab that let me cut in front of them to use the machines first since the other guy working with me was sick and I had to do all the work myself. Thanks guys!
Also, to the people that buy a pal a drink for life’s small acomplishments. When you have a kid coming is a given but how about when you land a tough customer or finish within a tight deadline?
The flight attendant on American that gave me a free beer, because I missed the Super Bowl due to a plane delay.
Great article!