In my Chennai travels, faces become familiar. I may not know their name but I know them by role. The older and young chefs at breakfast, the familiar guards and fitness center attendants I have known for thirteen years, and several others. Each brings her/his own unique brand of Taj’s trademark service.
In the standouts, there is one that I see almost every morning. His home-village-recipe of how to make of milky ginger black tea is a wonderful reminder how others can appreciate the things that are important to us. A couple months ago he asked me about my office coffee.
“Is the office coffee good?”
“It is ok, but nothing like the caliber of your coffee.”
“Would you like to take some for later?”
“No, I should be ok.”
He walked away in silence wearing a puzzled look. Five minutes later he returned with a bag. “I’ve put two coffees into this box. I am not sure they are waterproof, but they should be ok if you are careful.”
Since then, he does not even ask if I am interested, he acts. If I leave without giving him the chance, I know I will receive a scolding on my next visit. Two days ago, he was not working at breakfast and a colleague presented himself at the table.
“I know my colleague is absent today. I also know that he would want to make sure you are taken care of. Here is your coffee for the office.”
He is back today. I watched him in action this morning and I realized that as special as I am, everyone he speaks to gets a dose of personal attention. Several went to the office with coffees in hand. Others tried a ginger tea for breakfast for the first time. I ended up with a coffee, ginger tea, and fresh orange juice.
As I think of his approach, I am reminded of an old quote; “He scooped Sea into his jug, put Ocean in his keg.” (Psalm 33.7) Everyone is in his cup of kindness, goodness, and service.
