I was grocery shopping with my daughter recently. She loves to help me pick out fruit. Well, actually, she likes to tear the plastic produce bags off of the roll and shake them violently so they open up and float through the air. Then, she wants to tie them with the little green twisty ties. Me, I’m a guy. What do I do? I hold the bag up, spin it as fast as I can, and tuck it under the fruit as I set it in the cart. After we finished our trip around the store, we made our way to the register to check out. As usual, my daughter helped put all of the items on the belt and then waited patiently at the bagging area for a sticker. The cashier told me the total, I paid, loaded my bags into the cart and turned to get my receipt. She told me the amount I had “saved” and thanked me for shopping at the store. I took the receipt from her, smiled and said, “Thank you, my friend.” As we were walking away, my daughter asked, “Daddy? Is that girl your friend?” “No,” I chuckled. “Then why did you call her your friend?”
How do you address people?
How do you address people? Ma’am? Sir? Dude? I don’t mean your family or close friends. I call my close friends things like dude, bro, chica, and more familiar terms. I’m talking about strangers or acquaintances. How do you address them?
The more I deal with people – strangers and acquaintances – the more I find that how you address them right off the bat determines how they treat you from then on.
It’s the most basic form of the GOLDEN RULE in real life practice! And I know we all know the Golden Rule: Treat others the way you want to be treated.
Friend or Enemy?
It’s obvious that nobody wants more enemies, so treat them like a friend. Whenever we meet someone new, it’s normal to say hello, exchange pleasantries, and drop a “ma’am” or “sir.” But consider this. At some point in every conversation, I address everyone as “friend.” Old, young, rich, poor…it doesn’t matter. I want everyone to know that I want to be friendly toward them. Sure my actions, other words and tone show it, but it goes deeper than that. It surprises them. It takes them off guard. It’s not the norm.
When I take that brief second and call them a friend, it psychologically and subconsciously works as well…in my favor! Deep down they know that I’m friendly. Deep down they know that I will treat them like a friend. Which means that deep down they are going to be friendly toward me, too.
Every time I call someone “friend,” the next interaction is always positive. I’ve actually created many great, lasting friendships that way, all starting from addressing someone with a single word.
What’s your address, friend?