Turn off your iPod when you come to my counter. Period.

I was not always a floating head behind a reception desk.  


I used to be a real person.  


My job was to instruct young people with special needs, particularly in the area of social skills.  It was fun and rewarding work, especially when you consider that for the most part kids with special needs have beautiful manners.  I was never greeted more sincerely or offered as much earnest help with my day as I was by my students. I have always found it ironic that the folks who needed the most coaching were usually the people dropping the kids off for the class, not the kids themselves.

I don't mean to start frothing at the mouth here but I guess I am a little out of touch with reality.  

The next person who comes to my counter, barks out one word and then stares at their cell phone while I use my amazing mind reading powers to decipher what they want is going to get the worst thing I can possibly do to a total stranger: a hug.  It's every bit as socially unacceptable to hug a stranger as it is to request service from a person you are standing in front of but refusing to look at.  Yet somehow I think I'll be the one who will win the coveted 'Most Inappropriate in the Workplace' award. 

Weird.

So be warned, all you multi-taskers, all you texters and iPod listeners. Turn off the technology and acknowledge other human beings or face the consequences. 


I've got some love to spread around and you could be next.