A couple of weeks ago, I made a Gatorade and hot chocolate run during a break between Wayne Kevin's flag football games. Grateful to have a "real" bathroom at my disposal instead of the portolets at the field, I availed myself of the facilities at the Gate Station on Magnolia Drive here in Tallahassee, where I purchased our drinks.
The Magnolia Drive Gate Station is, as convenience stores go, pretty nice. Many of the employees have been there for years and go out of their way to be welcoming and friendly. I can count on the ladies' restroom being clean. This time, the restroom was beyond clean -- it was decorated!!
I had my camera with me because I had had it at football, and my "hmmm, this has blog potential" sensor went off when my eye was drawn to the two identical signs posted on the wall. They read:
We strive to keep our Ladies Room Clean & Fully stocked.
Our employees have also added decorative accessories to give our customers a more welcome & pleasant atmosphere.
We would appreciate it if our accessories were not disturbed, or removed from the restroom.
Thank you.
I counted nine special decorative touches contributed by the Gate employees, including this quasi-nautical/natural arrangement on top of the commode:
I'm no interior decorator (a fact as well known as my compulsive reading), but I couldn't completely grasp the theme. The blue/aqua family was prominent (we are in Florida after all). There was also a nod to the Christmas holiday:
Why did I find all of this blog-worthy? There are a couple of reasons. First, I detected in the double appearance of the sign a sincere investment on the part of the Gate employees in making my experience at their establishment "more"' than your average convenience store stop. And a fervent hope on their part that the effort would not be negated by a thoughtless visitor.
This bathroom decor also elicited many of the same emotions I felt about my kids' efforts when they were little:
Gosh, I hope the effort works!
Man, I hope no one messes up what they've worked so hard on
Gee, I hope they aren't disappointed if something gets "disturbed"
Please, Lord, don't let them lose the optimistic view that something they create has the potential to make another person happy
Even if they are discouraged, give them the gumption and inner strength to try again
Thank you, Gate employees on Magnolia drive for beautifying an experience that is, to put it mildly, routine. If your prints go missing:
Don't despair. Maybe someone's atmosphere elsewhere was so yucky that they couldn't resist appropriating one of your decorative touches. Maybe a two year old stowed away one of the little balls in the display on your commode (been there, done that).
Speaking only for myself, I appreciate the effort.
Nine decorations, two signs, and one grateful customer.
Have you benefited from an extra effort on the part of employees at an establishment you frequent? If so, comment!
And I'll "run" into you next week.
