I’m from a small town, and proud of it! (Miles, Texas: pop. 907).
There have been certain times in my life, however, that I’ve tried to blend in with the crowds in big cities so as not to give away my small-town roots. For instance, when I travel to other places for business conferences, awards galas, or training, I always attempt to not draw attention to my itty-bitty-town self.
Let me say outright: I always fail miserably.
Case in point: At a shopping center conference in a northern state, a seminar speaker asked a group of mall marketing managers from throughout the U.S.: “What does customer service in the food court mean to you?” I looked around the room, but no one ventured an answer, so I very confidently raised my hand and smiled before offering what I thought was the end-all, be-all of responses: “It means that the employee says, ‘yes ma’am, no ma’am, please, and thank you.”
Loud laughter erupted from my colleagues – in addition to the speaker – and I felt my cheeks warm. Obviously, that’s not what customer service means to people who aren’t from little, ol’ Miles, Texas! I definitely showed my small-town roots, which brings me to this week’s writing prompt.
Pamela’s Prompts: Describe a time that your roots (no matter what they are) were on full display. Let me know what you come up with and, until next time, happy writing!