THE CUP OF COFFEE By Greta Muller

When on the road for business, either continuously, or for any prolonged period of time, you come to rely on the kindness of strangers. The idea that my travel happiness may rely on the kindness of strangers leads to the conclusion that I just might be the stranger making someone else’s day. I hold no delusions of holding a supernatural power to make somebody “happy” if he or she chooses not to be, but I do believe our actions and inter-actions have the ability to affect another’s day and several years ago I decided if presented the opportunity, I would CHOOSE to make it. And I found truth in the belief that what goes around, comes around.

While on the road, I cannot walk into my kitchen and make myself the perfect cup of coffee at any time for any reason. If I wake at 2:00 in the morning, I cannot peruse the book shelf, or pull out a favorite magazine. While there may be a beautiful indoor pool and/or Jacuzzi/spa/gym at my disposal, it isn’t always available when I want it to be. Frequent business travel requires diligent attention to maintaining personal happiness, a positive mental attitude and physical health. This includes a good cup of coffee.

Just this morning, I awoke at 5:30 in a hotel. It is the rare occasion I make an in-room cup of coffee. I have to be really desperate. These hotels may go to a lot of expense and trouble choosing the perfect coffee makers, or coffee, or filters, creamers, sugars… but does anyone find this coffee truly delicious? Coffee is not simply an instrument for stimulation, I want taste. I want real cream and one Splenda. I want Starbucks.

I waited until 6:00AM to trot down to the dining room, hoping “real” coffee was ready. It wasn’t. The staff was setting up and I got a polite, “6:30, ma’am,” but it was a no, none the less.

Heading back to the elevator, I crossed paths with another hotel employee. By his uniform, I would guess he worked in maintenance. He asked me how my morning was going, and I said congenially “Lovely, thank you, but it would be even better if I could get a good cup of coffee.” He looked towards the dining room.

“They couldn’t get you a cup of coffee?”

“No sir, I was told the dining room opened at 6:30. I’ll come back.”

“You wait right there. I’ll find you a cup of coffee. How do you like it?”

He returned shortly with a cream and one Splenda cup of coffee- steaming and yes, delicious. I tried to tip him- he would have none of it.

With that one simple gesture, this man got my day off to a perfect start. It’s a simple thing- coffee, flavored with his smile and friendly attitude.

When traveling, I choose polite first, professional courtesy and friendliness. Sometimes I get upgraded to first class and sometimes it’s just a cup of coffee. Sometimes all I get is knowing that I did my best to make someone’s day, but whatever, everyone wins.