Work ethic refers to how you SHOULD handle yourself at work. You are representing the company you work for and you should act as you would like someone to act at a company you owned yourself. It's amazing to observe how different someone works at a job they have and then see them at their own business, should they open one. Work ethic also refers to being on time for work and doing your very best while you are at work. It means that you should give your boss a good days work for the the money you 'earn'. It means that you shouldn't waste time and shrug your duties for your job description.
With the times being so uncertain and the harsh economic times we are in, you'd think people would be more appreciative of their jobs and try to assure that they keep them. It may just be that the job force has become so complacent and lazy that they don't realize that 'cream rises to the top' and they are on very shaky ground when it comes to who will get the axe when it comes time that a company may have to downsize.
It used to be the norm to expect to be greeted by an employee of a store when you entered. One very big company that started in the early 1900's even used the tag "satisfaction guaranteed or your money back." That sentiment meant satisfaction in how you were treated as a customer as well. The whole idea is that people have a variety of places out there in 'consumer-land' where they can spend their money and they should be treated as a very special guest when they shop at a store. They don't even have to leave their homes any longer to shop the way online shopping has taken off. If there is no loyalty felt by the customer to a store or a clerk at a store, they will go next door or down the street to shop. You must make that customer feel important and show them that they are appreciated every time they walk in the store. I used to own a restaurant and no customer ever entered without being recognized and greeted. After a time, we got to know the many who frequently ate with us. We would inquire about a vacation they had recently taken or how their children or grandchildren were doing. We would ask about their job or how their business was doing. The point being; everyone wants to feel important. Just look at the gossip shows and magazines and paparazzi followers. Every schmoo wants to be famous, even if it is for their 'fifteen minutes'.
I have experienced myself, waiting to pay for an item and having the person not even look up when they scanned my credit card, or heaven forbid, they should thank me for shopping with them! Or even worse, they are talking to another co-worker about their date last night or complaining about something happening at work and it is as if you don't even exist....WOW....how have we gotten to this degree of rudeness? It almost seems that the customer is interrupting the worker and they make you feel as if you are imposing on them.
How about this....we go back to being polite to each other? It doesn't take any more time to smile and inquire how someone is doing today, where they are from, or just thanking someone and looking them in the eye when you do. Now I know there are jerks out there everywhere that will make it seem like it is futile, but I have found that even jerks respond when you are nice to them. Not always, but most of the time. Some people are so used to being in their own little mean world they are startled at first when another human being reaches out and says something nice to them. It is not too late to give it a try. Start small by smiling at people. They will usually smile back and if nothing else happens from that exchange, it will put out some good vibrations into the Universe, instead of the junk that is being put out there now.
I was taught something very valuable by my daughter Tiffany. Tiffany died when she was only seventeen in a car accident. But she was far and away a very special girl that was way beyond her years. She was such a delight and had the most beautiful smile and disposition. The thing Tiff taught me was to not keep a nice thing or thought to yourself about someone. For instance; if someone looks nice or is wearing a pretty blouse, dress, pin, necklace, etc. or their hair looks good, don't keep that thought to yourself. Tell the person. It may just make their day. Tiff was always doing that and I try to do that every time it is applicable. I don't just say something I don't mean because that would be fake and the person could feel that. I can't even tell you the times I have known in my heart that it really did make the other person feel great and quite a few times, I could sense that it was probably the nicest thing that had happened to them in some time. Like I said earlier, it doesn't take anything away from you and it isn't any harder to be nice to someone. Try it....it may just make you feel better about yourself too.
