09/13/2023
So, I went to a Dunkinโ Donuts drive-thru to grab a coffee. The line was wrapped around the building and on to the street. I was like, wow, must be brewing some great coffee today. As I patiently waited in line, I thought to myself something isnโt right here. So, when I was able to, I pulled in and parked, then walked inside. What I saw was both unbelievable and heartbreaking. Working in the store was one, ONE, young ladyโฆmaybe 19-20 years of age. She was running all over the place, taking orders, making coffee, making breakfast foods, packing donutsโฆall by herself. There were a number of others in the store waiting, most patiently, others not. I watched for a few minutes, just dumbfounded. She came by, and with a smile said, โWelcome to Dunkinโ Donuts, please be patient, I will be with you shortly.โ I looked in her eyes and could tell that she had been crying. My heart sank.
This young woman, under all that stress, was welcoming and sincere. I had a $20 bill in my hand, I handed it to her, and she seemed puzzled, and I said, please take this. She handed it back, thanked me, and said she couldnโt, it was against policy. I then turned to the others and said, she is way more important than my cup of coffee.
I walked out, and as I went to my car, I saw others leaving the store, and some went up to drivers waiting in line. I noticed cars starting to pull out of line. My hope is those in the store told the drivers of this young womanโs plight.
She was doing the work of 4-5 people, not getting paid a penny more for doing it, all to get people their morning coffee, and doing it with a smile.
Please be kind to those in the service industries. They are under staffed, over stressed, and we need to support and lift them up. ๐
