When in France...do what?

A friend jokingly commented the other day that I flirted when I was in Paris in January, and I looked at her like she had just grown a couple of purple antenna on the top of her head. I don’t flirt! I don’t even know how to flirt!

What in the world are you talking about, I asked. Her reply, every time I attempted to use my French and speak with anyone, I started by smiling, changing my body language, giving an introduction that meant I spoke a little French and could really use their help. Unequivocally, everyone seemed to be nice, even the woman who sold tickets at the Metro. Why weren’t people in the states that nice?

Then it dawned on me (sometimes things need to hit me in the head before they “dawn on me,”) that I was a different person when in France. And if that was the case, why on earth was I behaving one way in Europe, and another way here.

If “Magic Communicating” is speaking with people in a language they relate to, and if that language needs to, in some way be empathetic or caring, then “kind” has been very under rated. For me this would mean deciding (that old word again that means we get to choose how we’re going to respond to anything) that instead of acting impatiently when I can’t get the answer I want at an airport, or annoyed when the line is too long and I finally get to the front, I act as I do in France. I pay attention to each person I am talking with; I focus on that individual and approach them with civility and a smile.

Does that mean it will take longer to talk with people today? I think with that approach conversations will go quicker and more smoothly. But the idea is simple. Pass on the “magic” of communicating with care. Our job is always to pass on what we know that someone else doesn’t, to bring them up to our understanding, and if that is done with courtesy and with a smile, how great is that.

Please consider taking a minute today and approaching someone as if you don’t speak their language and want their help. What would you do, what would you say? Passing on kindness is absolutely contagious, and in a time when people need a lift, need something to smile about, what a great thing to be able to give others!

Let me know how it goes. I’d love to hear back from you.