I mean, look at this;

It was only when I mulled it over that I realised that this was a great factor in me choosing them over any other coffee shop in the area. There are certainly other places just like this one with more exquisite designs, equally good flavours and maybe even better prices, but I always tend to go back to places that stand out to me for their kindness. Record stores, coffee shops, restaurants, anything. Kindness is a contributing factor in choosing where one spends their time.

It lacks the anonymity of corporate chains and franchises that most of the time the staff is encouraged to strictly maintain a distance from the customer. Local shops have the advantage of freedom to build a humane relationship with each person walking in, greeting them with a smile and sometimes even a genuine question about their day.

Kindness makes us feel valued, especially when, as a regular, people remember small details from your orders or even your name. It feels like your presence is welcome and comes with a sense of familiarity. As someone who’s worked in a coffee shop, it brings me immense pleasure to see someone who has to work for 8 hours straight, and perhaps even have to endure unecessary rudeness, smile upon your arrival. You’re not being dismissed, but taken care of.

Maybe my hopelessly romantic heart extends to every interaction I have on a daily basis, filtering everything with the innate faith I have in human relationships. Maybe my perception is clouded, I do after all, as a customer, bring money and leave generous tips where I can. But there’s something sincere in each smile I get back, every sweet ‘Take care, come back soon!’ and even the silly jokes between ordering (this is a thank you to all the waiters and waitresses that have ever offered help when my indecisiveness has made it impossible for me to pick what I want to eat).

My kindness is welcomed like a gift and theirs is taken as a compliment. Maybe this is a love letter to locally owned shops, or a reluctant confession that despite everything I do sometimes choose convenience over value and quality. But I still mourn each and every shop that closes in the name of franchises, overused logos and standardised snacks.

But life is built around our days and how we choose to spend them, who we wish to be surrounded by. And fresh pastries, crooked smiles and honest interactions are how I chose to spend mine.

Diary Entry is the first part of a small series in this newsletter. It will consist of small essays and brief letters about random thoughts and updates on my life, much less formal and profound that I wish my regular essays to be. Consider this a small, yet honest, glimpse into my life.

All the love,
-Meeka.