Chance Encounters - Lasting Impressions

[WebmasterMaryJo]

Have you ever met anyone for a brief moment, yet something they did or said made a lasting impression on you? Either large or small?

I was on another thread/another board (gasp), and mentioned how we used to have manual cash registers and would have to count the change back, and that post reminded me of a chance encounter.

I remember my first purchase "on my own," I was buying my dad a bottle of cologne for Fathers Day (probably the cheapest kind, but hey, I was only 9, and he kept that bottle til the day he died, but I digress). The older, gray-haired lady (that's how I remember her) started to count my change back to her, and I told her that she didn't need to because I trusted her. She told me that it was important, and I should ALWAYS make sure that change was counted back. To this day I always make sure that change is counted back to me, or that I count it back. It's just something that stuck with me.

Another time, I was a young girl, on a trip to San Diego on the train, a trip I won selling Campfile Girl candy. I remember sitting next to the chaperone, and she asked me if I could wink my eye ... yes I could, and then she asked if I could wink my other eye ... no I couldn't, and she started alternately winking her eyes at me. I thought it was so cool. lol I went home, and I practiced and practiced until I could do it, and still can to this day.

I remember going to our local drug store, I was probably 18 or so, and there was this really beautiful girl. Her hair was long and golden/honey, and her eyes matched - I guess you could say "tawny". She was so striking that 20 years later I remember her. I probably wouldn't recognize her if I saw her again, but I remember the impression of beauty that I saw.


There are others, of course, but these came to mind. I guess I'm kind of in a reflective mood today.

What about you guys -- has a chance encounter ever had a lasting impression on you?

 

[Uncle Remus]

Yes, I do have one of those lasting impressions.
Back in '78, I was travelling back from the east coast to Dallas non stop, it was important that I get home as soon as possible. I was dressed very casually (shorts and T-shirt) and was extremely tired when I stopped in a town in Lousiana about 4:30PM. I thought it was 5:30 because I hadn't changed the clock in my car and I was hungry. I walked into a restaurant, but after a minute or so I realized it was a rather expensive place that I couldn't afford. I thought I was 'saved' because they weren't open yet since it was just 4:30, but an older gentleman had come out from the back dressed in a chef's cap and apron. I laughed and apologized for taking him from his work explaining that I probably couldn't afford to eat there even if they were open and I was dressed more appropriately. Then I asked him where I might find some place more suitable. He put me in front of a window at a real nice table.


And yes, it was "on the house."

 

[perdidobay]

When I was 15 and working in a fast food restaurant (my first job). Early on a slow Saturday morning, a elderly man (in my view at that age - he was probably 50!) came in with a girl about 5 years old. They placed an order and I chatted with them and gave the girl some free toys. At that time there was a commercial for our Chain that featured a girl that looked alot like me.
The little girl asked me if I was that girl in the commercial.
I told her no, but I thought it would be fun to be in a commercial- didn't she? She was a sweetie and it was fun to talk to her. When their order was ready they went and sat and ate slowly and chatted.

On their way out the door, the man came up to me and said " I just want you to know that this is my granddaughter and we have had a tradition of eating breakfast together on Saturdays for the last year. This has been the best yet thanks to you. You made my ganddaughter's day, and so mine too" "I know this isn't much but I want you to have it" He left me a quarter tip.

To this day I have never forgotten that on that day, I really realized that how I acted on the job and off could make a big difference in someone elses day. He and his granddaughter sure made mine.