A cashier's compassionate customer service shows what true empathy looks like.
Sarah Bigler, who lives in Indianapolis, was shopping with her kids at a Target last week, according to a Facebook post. When Bigler joined the checkout line, she ended up behind an elderly woman who not only wanted to pay in change, but also requested to pay for each item separately.
While the mom said she'd initially felt frustrated, the employee, whose name is Ishmael Gilbert, remained calm and accommodating, helping the woman with whatever assistance she needed.
"Never once did this employee huff, gruff or roll his eyes," Bigler wrote. "He was nothing but patient and kind."
The mom, whose daughter had watched the employee's understanding conduct, snapped a picture of Gilbert's interaction with the elderly woman and shared it on Facebook. She mentioned that that day, both she and her daughter were reminded of how important patience is.
"We left Target with a cart full of consumable items, but what is more -- a heart full of gratitude for such an invaluable lesson," Bigler wrote. "If you are ever in the Glendale Target, give Ishmael a smile and a nod. The world could use more people like him."
Gilbert had started working at the store a few days prior to Bigler's visit, The Indianapolis Star reported. While the elderly woman was checking out, she became visibly flustered.
"She was all worked up because the line was getting longer and she was moving so slow," the employee told The Indianapolis Star of the elderly shopper. "She was shaking."
Gilbert reacted by treating her with respect and care. He helped her count out her change, answered the woman politely, and even went to another checkout lane to find the shopper a reusable bag, all while other shoppers were leaving his line for faster lanes.
While watching Gilbert for a while, the mom wrote that she was no longer frustrated. In fact, she realized it was a privilege to catch such courteous behavior.
"I realized I hadn't been inconvenienced at all -- that my daughter was instead witnessing kindness and patience and being taught this valuable lesson by a complete stranger; " Bigler wrote in the Facebook post. "Furthermore, I realized that I, too, needed a refresher on this lesson."
The mom thanked Gilbert, who has a daughter of his own, for his incredible attitude and also told the employee's manager of his kind actions. While Gilbert has been widely praised on social media for his work, he says that his behavior isn't out of the ordinary.
"It just feels good to be recognized for good work," he told the Indianapolis Star. "But this isn't something new. I treat all customers the same, the way I want to be treated."
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