Working as one of four female employees at Fat Boys BBQ restaurant I am surrounded by boys who chop meat and keep fire burning all day, so they’re not exactly in touch with their feminine sides.

One night in particular I made my way to work with my homework in hand preparing for a slow night. As the night went on I served the occasional customer and the boys kept chopping meat. When we heard the door open our heads looked up to see a homeless man stroll in and seat himself and his many bags at the table furthest from us.

My co-worker and I turned to each other in total confusion of how to handle the situation. Our manager eventually came to the front counter and gave both of us the same look of confusion. The man sat there looking only at the table. Without saying a word we all decided we would leave the man alone and continue in our regular duties.

The time slowly passed until an elderly couple came in, ordered their meal and made their way towards a table beside the man. We all looked at each other again but didn’t take action in asking the man to leave and watched the situation waiting for what may happen. After the couple had finished their meal the woman leaned over to the young man, put her hand on his shoulder, looked him in the eye and spoke with him like he was her own son. Soon after, she motioned the young man to follow her towards the counter.

We all assumed our position, put on some smiles and I asked them how we could help. The woman informed us she would buy him a meal. He gawked up at the menu, twirled his hair, rocked back and forth and repeated the phrase,” Umm, now let’s see” to every possible order on the menu. Finally he asked for the Fat Boy plate, the most expensive meal. Mindlessly I pressed the button and blurted out the cost. While handing me the costly plate my co-worker whispered, “Just charge her for a sandwich”. I corrected the order, handed the man his meal and told them to enjoy their evening.

When the couple had left and the man had taken his seat again I stood there recalling my experiences in the past hour. Watching both the elderly couple and my supposedly insensitive co-worker perform simple selfless acts of kindness kindled the fire within me to be ready for possibilities of performing similar actions in my future.