Ripple Effects
A couple weeks ago, I saw a visitor on the sidewalk looking a little lost so I stopped and asked if he needed help finding anything. As we struck up a conversation, it was apparent how much of an impression the kindness of a few people at the coffee shop had left on him. Per their suggestion, he was walking around visiting some of our downtown businesses and was excited to show me the new book and pair of shoes he'd purchased.
The kindness of a couple residents in line at the coffee shop had quite the ripple effect. They had given him a few recommendations that resulted in him spending a little extra time downtown and supporting a couple of our local businesses. He told me he would have headed straight back to the Interstate if it weren't for his conversation with a couple locals. In fact, he travels by Grinnell for work from time to time and had only ever been to the coffee shop and the gas stations. I have no doubt this he will stop in Grinnell more frequently because of the positive experience he had here the other day. His short experience here turned him into a repeat visitor and shopper.
It's worth a reminder every now and then about how extremely important it is that we are all being friendly and kind to visitors and newcomers in our community. Your small act of kindness can truly create a ripple effect that benefits our entire community. Don't forget that.
The next couple weekends are big ones in town with a statewide youth swim meet this weekend that is expected to draw 360 swimmers plus all of their coaches and families, and next weekend is the national DIII indoor track & field meet with about 600 athletes plus all of their coaches and families. When you see these visitors out and about, don't underestimate what a simple 'hello' or 'welcome' can do to leave a good impression on them. By living or working in Grinnell, we are all ambassadors of this community. Let's see what kind of ripple effects we can create.
~ Emily Counts
Add a comment
