My secret to getting along with everyone I meet

IT IS not possible that I am in any way different to other South Africans, even though I am white.

While I have had hundreds of wonderful experiences as I go about the city doing what I do, which is community projects, I have yet to experience any negative reaction from anyone I have dealt with.

Doing bulk shopping a couple of days ago at the Giant Hyper in Epping, which is huge, I approached one of their staff, who responded: “Follow me darling and I will show you where everything is.” She proceeded to take me where I needed to be, even helping me load my trolley. This was beyond her call of duty.

I then approached one of the owners, who knows me by sight because of my frequent visits, and asked her to show me where the best prices were on a particular item. She left the front of the hypermarket where she was checking the outgoing items, and took me directly to the lowest shelf where the cheapest items were.

She even carried the 20 items because I kept dropping them. Three people helping each other. Today was my Helen Keller volunteer shopping day for the elderly, which I do at PnP, Pinelands.

With 12 different shopping bags and 12 purses to sort through, the rather young gentleman cashier was patient and pleasant while I scratched around the trolley making sure that each shopping bag had the right goodies.

I am therefore convinced that it is one’s attitude towards one’s fellow South African, without being patronising, irrespective of their position in the workplace, which stops racism in its tracks. I just happen to like people – so for me it is not difficult to communicate with anyone on an equal level.

It should therefore not be difficult for others to treat everyone exactly the same.

Smile, joke and enjoy the interaction – it is a very rewarding and happy DIY for anyone who wishes to make a difference in their lives and the lives of others.

I can honestly say I love my job.