The Power of Hello

Table of Contents

By Cathy-Anne O’Brien, The holiday season is upon us. It’s the time of year when we are friendlier and say hello – there’s a lighter, cheerful vibe that takes hold. But did you know there are people who embrace this merriment all year long, IN TORONTO?!

Narine Mahraj comes to mind. Narine is considered a “goodwill ambassador” in my neighbourhood. In fact, a group of Beachers, as we are fondly called, got together to award Narine with a plaque presenting this title to him.

Photo/ERWIN BUCK
Photo/ERWIN BUCK

Let me tell you about Narine. The first time I saw him I was running the boardwalk at the Beach and Narine was enthusiastically waving at me as I passed by. I thought, okay I must have dropped something. Maybe he needs to warn me of some impending doom up ahead. No, I know, he’s mistaking me for someone else.

Wrong. Just “Hello, have a nice day”, accompanied by a wave that lasted half a minute.

Every time I’ve seen him since, at least once or twice a week, he has the same big, warm, friendly smile meant for every human or dog passing by.

And you know what happens next? I find myself saying hello to everyone I pass after that. I find myself grinning from ear to ear and then others start greeting me too. What a great way to start the day. I find myself looking out for Narine some mornings, and feel a little sad when I may have missed him that day.

What’s really neat about all this is Narine had no idea how many people he has affected with such a simple gesture. Hundreds of Facebook likes and comments appeared on the Beach Community Page all expressing the same feelings.

So simple, yet so much impact. A daily interaction that breaks down social barriers, makes connections and builds community. And somehow we’ve lost a bit of this, as evident in our surprise when someone says a simple “Good day”.

Whether it’s being neighbourly, improving customer service or building a positive workplace culture, small talk serves a purpose. For BlueSky, it makes us a better business, but individually, it makes us better people.

So when the time to say Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas, Happy Chanukah and Happy New Year, comes to an end, let’s keep talking. Comment on the weather, compliment each other and express delight to your fellow commuter when the streetcar wait is a short one. You’ll create a wave of positive energy that will stay with you – and countless others — all day long.

How else will you be a goodwill ambassador in 2016?

 

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