by Tracey E. Bennett, Queen of Conversation
Does your first impression measure up at home? When your loved ones step in the door, do you stop what you’re doing and greet them? Do you make them feel important and valued?
Let’s take a hint from the professionals.
Do you like being greeted at the door of WalMart? I do. A friendly welcome sets the tone for my shopping. It focuses me on a warm human being instead of a chilly store. WalMart knows that first impressions count, so thrifty as they are, they spend the bucks to have someone say, "Hello, welcome to WalMart."
When I come home, Scooter (pictured) and OOdles bark and wag their welcome. As you can imagine, we’re delighted to see each other after a day — or an hour — apart. They have no concept of time. "You’ve been gone FOREVER, and now you’re home!" Wag, wag, wag! I love that first impression so much, I could bottle it.
But they’re not my favorite door greeters. My partner, Gaelyn, is. I just love seeing her peeking around the garage door, setting a playful tone for the whole evening.
And when Gaelyn comes home to me, I join the dogs at the door. I don’t bark, but I do wag and say, "I’m so glad you’re home. I’m happy to see you."
Like the folks at WalMart, we know that first impressions count. Forget apples for keeping doctors away. A greeting a day keeps the grumpies at bay.
Who’s the official greeter at your place? It’s too important a job to leave to the pets. Show up at the door and wag your tail, too.
Tags: first impressions