There's this guy at work, he's been there for some years now, not really outgoing but he's learned to deal with customers, who are generally construction contractors, farmers, or the wives of the above.
Well Thursday this new girl started. She's shy too. They greeted each other with a polite nod but didn't speak. Next day it was 'Good Morning' but nothing more. They ran the store over lunch. He worked in the back and helped her at the till when there were customers. They were polite to each other but no one broke the ice. The tension began to build. She asked him something and stuttered. Sometimes she had to whisper because her voice wouldn't hold. He did his absolute level best to stay calm and cool, but his voice, though low and steady, belied his discomfort.
Monday she priced the order of new merchandise. He walked by the counter where she worked dozens of times in the day, but neither of them raised their eyes. At coffee break it was the old guy (we'll call him Jake) who invited her to join them, which she reluctantly did. Now Jake is friendly, funny, and engaging so they almost forgot to be uncomfortable.
Tuesday. Jake is gone to Winnipeg with the truck for a pick-up run. Our man takes morning break alone. It's not that he wants to be rude but by this time any thought of talking to that girl has him jumpier than a November buck.
Well Jake gets back early today and just in time to sit down to afternoon coffee.
"The girl doesn't join you?"
"Nope."
So Jake sits a little longer, then gets up to leave. Soon, who should appear but the girl. She quietly takes a seat but he doesn't look up.
"There's bread for toast if you want."
"Oh. Thanks."
He fumbles trying to spread his own toast and nearly drops it. How on earth did it come to this?! Silence ensues. He wants to say something but the power of speach has utterly abandoned him. He rests his hand on the table to keep it from shaking visibly.
Finally she musters the courage to ask a question which he answers briefly. She presses on with another, and a short, halting conversation follows. Not lengthy, and surely not eloquent, but conversation! So there is hope for them. And we'll all breathe a little easier now!
Shared by permission of 'our man', who gave me the first hand account. Names omitted for obvious reasons. We'll see how it goes.
Well Thursday this new girl started. She's shy too. They greeted each other with a polite nod but didn't speak. Next day it was 'Good Morning' but nothing more. They ran the store over lunch. He worked in the back and helped her at the till when there were customers. They were polite to each other but no one broke the ice. The tension began to build. She asked him something and stuttered. Sometimes she had to whisper because her voice wouldn't hold. He did his absolute level best to stay calm and cool, but his voice, though low and steady, belied his discomfort.
Monday she priced the order of new merchandise. He walked by the counter where she worked dozens of times in the day, but neither of them raised their eyes. At coffee break it was the old guy (we'll call him Jake) who invited her to join them, which she reluctantly did. Now Jake is friendly, funny, and engaging so they almost forgot to be uncomfortable.
Tuesday. Jake is gone to Winnipeg with the truck for a pick-up run. Our man takes morning break alone. It's not that he wants to be rude but by this time any thought of talking to that girl has him jumpier than a November buck.
Well Jake gets back early today and just in time to sit down to afternoon coffee.
"The girl doesn't join you?"
"Nope."
So Jake sits a little longer, then gets up to leave. Soon, who should appear but the girl. She quietly takes a seat but he doesn't look up.
"There's bread for toast if you want."
"Oh. Thanks."
He fumbles trying to spread his own toast and nearly drops it. How on earth did it come to this?! Silence ensues. He wants to say something but the power of speach has utterly abandoned him. He rests his hand on the table to keep it from shaking visibly.
Finally she musters the courage to ask a question which he answers briefly. She presses on with another, and a short, halting conversation follows. Not lengthy, and surely not eloquent, but conversation! So there is hope for them. And we'll all breathe a little easier now!
Shared by permission of 'our man', who gave me the first hand account. Names omitted for obvious reasons. We'll see how it goes.
I was there all thorough my childhood.
Keep at it. It's going to get easier. Maybe you could bring something for coffee tomorrow to break the ice.