Skip to main content

We should all observe the 10 foot rule

Maybe I'm too trusting an individual. Or perhaps, I am too optimistic.

I start this with a slip. It happened late yesterday afternoon when I was taking trash to the curb for pickup. I slipped and fell. No problem except for the fact that I had my knee replaced almost six years ago. when I got to work this morning my leg was stiff, so I had to call the doctor's office for advice, and of course the I was told to come in. The good thing about this was that my work day ended at noon. At least I didn't have to put up with rush hour traffic coming from Cleveland this afternoon.

I got to the doctor's office fine. Weight is up, blood pressure was up, I thought I was in trouble for that. That wasn't even mentioned. What the doc was concerned with was the play in my man made knee. I was referred to the Crystal Clinic(original total knee was done by Dr. Gradisar, now retired) I was also sent for x-rays, and went to Kaiser, my heath care provider.

I proceeded to go to Fairlawn. Problem was, Fairlawn radiology was closed for remodeling, so it was off to Chapel Hill. At the Kaiser facility, I got my knee x-rayed. I got to my car with x-rays and then discovered I had a slip for hip and femur x-rays also. Back to radiology. While I was waiting I started sneezing. This lady next to the window said in a low voice "bless you". Before I could say thank you I sneezed three more times in a row. Then I said "thank you". this young lady with a small child replied "I should have said bless you" I told her that the other lady already did, but I couldn't say thank you for the sneezing fit I was having.

We proceeded having a decent conversation regarding how people are always in waiting rooms afraid to say anything to anybody else. I told her that life should have a "ten foot rule".

I explained that when I worked at K-Mart, they had a ten foot rule, which meant that whenever anyone came within ten feet of you, you should greet them with a smile and a "welcome". She agreed, but told me that since she owned a business and was a mother she was sometimes too worn out to greet people. I told her since she owned a business, that was all the more reason to observe a ten foot rule.

We should all observe a ten foot rule. Most people who read this blog and comment give me the impression that they are people persons. I enjoy getting a smile from those who seem happy to see me. I also enjoy being able to give someone a smile or maybe a laugh.

People seem to be in their own bubbles at times, connected to their cell phones and iPods. The only time someone will speak to others is when they want something.

I see time and time again that those who get the most out of life are the givers. Lets start by giving out smiles. That's something you don't run out of.

Oh, and please pray that nothing is wrong with my knee.

Comments

Anonymous said…
cliff-i work as a vendor who has kmart as a national client. the 10 foot rule is practical. as i interact with people to invite them to our demos, i frequently see many people with scowls. when they ask if they need to be present for the demo, i smile and invite them to bring their smiles with them--david5258
Cliff said…
David,

Ever demo at the Wadsworth K-Mart? My daughter works there.
Anonymous said…
Clifford,

You DEFINATELY have MY prayers.
I don't know if God will listen to me or not; He's been ticked off at me for a while.

But, I will pray nonetheless...

Your Friend,
Daniel
Anonymous said…
cliff-yes, many times. your daughter probobaly remembers the guy on the phone paging system saying:
"GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOODDDDMOOOOORRRRNNNNIINNNGG Wadsmwoth KMART SHOPPERS...."( I adapted Robin Williams wakeup call to fit)
Anonymous said…
to mr anonymous--GOD ALWAYS LISTENS to the cry of a broken heart. HIS Favorite name is daddy...may you come to know HIM in a way that is real to you like you never have before. Cry out to HIM--HE IS THERE and HE will be there WITH you.-david5258
Cliff said…
David,

Evidently we had the same inspiration, as I used the same sthick when I worked part time in the electronics dept at the Wooster Wal-Mart about 10 years ago. Customers really enjoy hearing someone who is excited about their job. Too often you hear someone on the public address who try to give an infomercial instead of being short and sweet and whetting their appetite enough to come over to their section. I will ask my daughter if she has heard you.
Anonymous said…
I thought you were going to say the 10 foot rule is people should stay 10 feet away from you! LOL

Popular posts from this blog

Post 800: Time to chat

Hi Guys, It's hard to believe that this is post number 800 for this blog. I started this blog out of my desire to communicate. Since radio and television is becoming more and more automated and less and less personal, I'm glad I made the decision to go in this direction as it has given me many blessings. When I first decided to write my musings, a friend from the radio and television boards who goes by the name of newsnomore, told me not to be discouraged if I didn't get any readers. The fact that I did in the early going made me surprised and grateful that anyone was enjoying what I wrote. I've had people tell me that maybe it wasn't meant for me to ever be in radio, that maybe my calling was blogging. Nowadays I think blogging makes for better two way conversation than terrestrial radio, especially the way I do it, non confrontational. The closest I come from any confrontation is the innocent digs that Pat and I shoot at each other. On an average day I get betwee

Lawson's Chip Dip

On a couple of occasions I have written posts dedicated to Lawson's, a convenience store chain that was located in Ohio for close to 50 years. In the late 1980's the chain was bought out by Dairy Mart, of Engfield Ct. Dairy Mart was then purchased by Alimentation Couche-Tard, and most stored were rebranded Circle K. Something that has survived the years since Lawson's has left the landscape is Lawson's Chip Dip. I get many hits on this blog from people out of Ohio, I'm thinking former Buckeyes, looking for availability of this chip dip. I had gotten an email from a former resident of Cleveland looking for it. I emailed Circle K about this sometime ago asking if it was possible to send the dip out to those out of state, they said because of quality issues that it was not possible. My only suggestion would be to get in touch with Circle K in your home area and ask them to start stocking this very popular item that seems to make every get-together complete. Now we wil

Sometimes Sports are Just Sports

 This may or may not make the final cut of my book. I was writing about some events this weekend and what had started as a joyous Friday night at my home school district became a weekend of heartbreak in the area after what happened at another school. Sometimes We Need to Realize That Sports are Just Games   Friday nights in late summer and early fall are sometimes a big deal for high school students and their families. As the long-time band announcer for my local high school, it is a time of year I always look forward to. This past Friday night was originally supposed to be the homecoming game for the local high school. The schedule had to be changed a bit because of the uncertainty of the opponents being able to field a team. There was talk around the league that they may have had to forfeit this game, so homecoming for the local school was rescheduled. The opponents, which are rivals of my local school district, were able to field a team and the game was played. The game was