Who?
Dino
Where?
Berlin, Germany
What?
"I dig your smile! Looks super warm and broad!"
How did he react?
He nodded, then smiled. I said, "Right there! Yeah, that one!". He answered "Alright, okay... You have a great smile, too! In fact everything about you is great!"
How did I feel?
The grocery store. After three hours of sleep, 8 cups of coffee, 12 hours of awake time and 100 tons of freshly swallowed Spanish grammar that is not my place of choice. But an empty fridge needs stocking so I quickly stopped by the supermarket after school-- and ran straight into Dino's smile. Our eyes met, I wearily lifted the corners of my mouth and SWOOOOSH!, he gave me a triple smile back. The sun shone from his face. At the same time there was serenity and calm. Looking at him my grin grew. I took a breath- and suddenly those 1000 tons of grammar dissolved, my shaking from the coffee turned into a subtle dance and the three hours of sleep were forgotten, at least for a few minutes.
When I approached Dino he seemed a bit unsure what to think of me and my project, and that compliment. Then he cautiously smiled again and I told him, "Yeah, that's what I am talking about."
We chatted for a while. I learned that today was a special day for him: The first one at his new job! Dino works as the store's security guard. Later on I saw him here and there while gathering my goods and I could tell: He took his job very seriously. I admired his ability to walk through the store for 8 hours (that's how long he'd been there when I talked to him) and still seem very focused and wholehearted. I congratulated him on his start and asked if I could take a picture. He said, yeah, and posed. I like the picture a lot, even though he is not showing the full on version of his smile, for I can see the open and yet quiet person I met. Thank you, Dino, for that moment which made a big difference in a long day. All the best for your job! See you next time.
Dino
Where?
Berlin, Germany
What?
"I dig your smile! Looks super warm and broad!"
How did he react?
He nodded, then smiled. I said, "Right there! Yeah, that one!". He answered "Alright, okay... You have a great smile, too! In fact everything about you is great!"
How did I feel?
The grocery store. After three hours of sleep, 8 cups of coffee, 12 hours of awake time and 100 tons of freshly swallowed Spanish grammar that is not my place of choice. But an empty fridge needs stocking so I quickly stopped by the supermarket after school-- and ran straight into Dino's smile. Our eyes met, I wearily lifted the corners of my mouth and SWOOOOSH!, he gave me a triple smile back. The sun shone from his face. At the same time there was serenity and calm. Looking at him my grin grew. I took a breath- and suddenly those 1000 tons of grammar dissolved, my shaking from the coffee turned into a subtle dance and the three hours of sleep were forgotten, at least for a few minutes.
When I approached Dino he seemed a bit unsure what to think of me and my project, and that compliment. Then he cautiously smiled again and I told him, "Yeah, that's what I am talking about."
We chatted for a while. I learned that today was a special day for him: The first one at his new job! Dino works as the store's security guard. Later on I saw him here and there while gathering my goods and I could tell: He took his job very seriously. I admired his ability to walk through the store for 8 hours (that's how long he'd been there when I talked to him) and still seem very focused and wholehearted. I congratulated him on his start and asked if I could take a picture. He said, yeah, and posed. I like the picture a lot, even though he is not showing the full on version of his smile, for I can see the open and yet quiet person I met. Thank you, Dino, for that moment which made a big difference in a long day. All the best for your job! See you next time.