Coffee shop’s ingenious pricing policy inspires people to be kinder

Editor's note: This article was originally published on March 29, 2023. It has since been updated.

Being kind and polite to those around us are crucial traits that greatly impact our relationships and interactions. Kindness shows compassion and consideration, often making someone's day brighter. A coffee shop in Grandin Village, Roanoke Valley, caught people's attention a few years ago with a sign urging customers to be polite and calling out those who don't even say "hello" or "please," reports WDBJ. 

T The board outside CUPS Coffee & Tea read, "'One small coffee' $5.00, 'One small coffee, please' $3.00, 'Hello, I'd like one small coffee please' $1.75." People loved this sign highlighting the importance of kindness and politeness to service workers. Austin Simms, who wrote the sign, said he was just trying to be funny and didn't expect it to go viral. He joked, "I decided because I need to solve all the injustices of the world to start charging more for people who didn't take the time to say hello and connect and realize we're all people behind the counter."

The simple act of politeness, such as saying "hello" and "please," may seem insignificant, but they can have a profound effect on someone's day. They can bring a smile to someone's face and make them feel appreciated and valued. The sign outside CUPS Coffee & Tea is a powerful reminder of the importance of treating others respectfully and kindly. Also, it inspires people to be more thoughtful and considerate in their daily interactions with others.

In another such example of kindness towards service workers, a family from South Carolina raised more than $250,000 for their 72-year-old Domino's delivery driver, Barbara Gillespie. She was injured while delivering their order on February 3, 2023. The video of the fall was recorded on the family's home security system and quickly gained widespread attention, amassing more than 3 million views on TikTok.

Upon answering the door, Kevin Keighron, the owner of the house, discovered Gillespie attempting to get up after dropping off the food, and she apologized for the mishap. Keighron offered reassurance that it was not an issue, and he and his spouse, Lacey Klein, established a GoFundMe campaign to provide financial support for Gillespie.

Gillespie expressed her amazement at the generous donations made by strangers, while Domino's expressed gratitude towards their kind-hearted customers who helped significantly improve Gillespie's life. Gillespie submitted her resignation to Domino's on February 8 and planned to retire. The incident initiated a broader discussion on how several Americans have to continue working beyond their retirement age to meet their living expenses.

GoFundMe reported a "ripple effect" in the number of fundraising campaigns aimed at assisting individuals in attaining their retirement goals. However, the kindness of this family towards this elderly service worker helped her retire and plan the rest of her life.