Give them a ‘brake’ and a smile

Published 4:10 am Thursday, July 13, 2006

By Staff
Yesterday I forgot about the work on M-51 between Niles and Dowagiac. I left the office only to see a tall man in a raincoat holding a stop sign, in the middle of the road.
Being the first car in the line being prevented from heading north, I rolled down my window and said hi to the worker.
He had a smile on his face and a bounce to his step, even though it was after 6 p.m. and he had been at his job since early that morning.
His name was Pete and he was just one of the many people we pass each day without really seeing them.
We talked about how some of the people actually try and get around the workers and how one man hit a woman holding a flag and continued on. He was caught and will be charged with hit and run, along with some other charges like being intoxicated.
The higher fines in a work area just don't seem like enough punishment for someone like him. I hope he actually serves some jail time.
Though most drivers are patient and do cooperate, there are always a few who believe the word "stop" doesn't apply to them. They are just too important.
"I have been cursed at, " Pete said. "People have to understand I am just doing my job."
Not only was he doing his job, he wasn't complaining and gave a friendly smile to those driving by.
It is true I was delayed about 15 minutes, but in that time Pete gave me some things to think about.
So often we vent our frustration on those people who are just doing their job.
He is there for our safety. With people passing in no passing zones and speeding normally, how much worse would the situation be without these workers looking out for our welfare.
If they don't repair and resurface the road periodically, we would all complain about the ruts and potholes.
People often are living in their own little worlds. They are thinking about what they are going to make for dinner when they get home. (I made meatloaf for the first time in a long time and it was great.)
They are worried they will be late to pick up their child from an after school activity.
They are on their way to visit their mom in the hospital.
Or maybe, they just had a long day and want to go home and take off their shoes and put their feet up.
Pete was tired too, I could see, and the rain wasn't pleasant to stand in.
He told me how the stop sign was his "other girlfriend." He couldn't set it down for a moment and even had to maneuver putting on his raincoat when the rain started – all while holding on to the pole.
A woman at a car dealership was snappy on the phone to me a few weeks ago. Later I learned she was fighting cancer and had just lost her sister.
Maybe she shouldn't have been working, but maybe she needed to keep working for the money or to keep her mind off her troubles.
Not everyone who gives poor service has an excuse, but sometimes that waitress or store clerk just might have sometihing huge on their mind.
We would be well to remember Pete's words that they are just trying to do their job and we need to give them a break.
Oh, Pete also had some good news for those of you that travel that stretch on M-51. He said they should be all done by next Wednesday. In the meantime, give him a smile when you pass.