It is precisely because of the inconvenience that people try to understand each other | From an ordering experience at Starbucks

The communication we engage in casually every day.

When that becomes just a little bit "inconvenient," how do people change?

▶︎ A first-time experience

I am a heavy Starbucks user, and I dropped by a store I frequent often, but I had a first-time experience there.

It was having my order taken by a staff member with a hearing impairment.

When I looked it up, it seems Starbucks is also focusing on "activities by partners with hearing impairments", and there are stores like this! I learned that for the first time.

The order is placed using a special menu sheet.

It lists things like "for here or to go," "iced or hot," "size," "type of cup," "type of milk," and "toppings" in detail, and the style is to select them one by one while pointing. Normally, this is an interaction that takes an instant verbally. But this time, I didn't know how much was getting across. That is precisely why I confirmed each item while using facial expressions and gestures.





Naturally, it takes more time than usual.


Also, I didn't know how to convey my usual customization of "extra milk," so I gave up on it this time (I found out later that writing it down would have been fine). It was an order placed while feeling a bit of inconvenience.

▶︎ What remained even then

But strangely, that time was not unpleasant. Rather, I felt a


sense of valuing communication more than usual.


We both tried to "convey" and "understand." I feel that awareness naturally became stronger. When the order was finished, I naturally said


"Thank you." And I also tried to convey that


"thank you" with simple sign language (the movement of making your dominant hand into a knife-hand shape, lightly touching the back of your other hand, and then bringing it down smoothly) as well. The staff member responded to that, too. It was only a fleeting interaction, but there was certainly a sense of connection





there. When I received my coffee, I was also in a very peaceful state of mind.

▶︎ Communication in a convenient era

In this day and age, communication has become very convenient. Thanks to the evolution of various tools such as email and social media, we can deliver what we want to say to others anytime, anywhere, and instantly.


We can efficiently maintain many connections.

We can also save time.


This is something to be very grateful for.


However, on the other hand, I feel that the act of "conveying" has somehow become like a "task."We only need to send the necessary information.


We can finish reactions with a single button.


Interactions end without feeling the other person's facial expressions or reactions.


That is by no means a bad thing, but I also feel that somewhere,


the "sense of facing the other person" is fading.I feel that way.

▶︎ What inconvenience brings out

In this experience, there was the inconvenience of not being able to use the "voice" as a means.But precisely because of that inconvenience,

"How should I convey this?"
"Is it being conveyed properly?"

I naturally started thinking about things like that.

The parts we omit when things are convenient. I feel like my attention was directed back to those parts.

▶︎ "Communication" is inherently troublesome

In the first place, I think "communication" is not that smooth or simple.Putting your thoughts into words. Having the other person receive and understand them.


That process takes a little time.

Sometimes it feels troublesome. Especially when you are busy or don't have the leeway.

▶︎ Even so, let's take the extra effort

That is why, even if it is only when you have some spare time, try to be a little more conscious of a "game of catch." Instead of just throwing things out one-sidedly, interact while feeling whether your message is reaching the other person.


Rather than just throwing it and ending it, interact while feeling if it is reaching the other person.


・After sending a message, try adding a quick word over the phone
・Instead of just reacting, try adding a few words


It is just a small thing, but that extra effort might change the quality of communication a little.

▶︎Summary

What I felt through this experience is that,

___________________________________________________
"Understanding each other" is not something born from convenience,
but something that grows within a little bit of inconvenience and effort.
___________________________________________________

It is precisely because things do not go smoothly that we try to look at the other person.


It is precisely because it might not be conveyed that we choose our words carefully.


I believe that accumulating these moments creates a slightly more comfortable relationship. I believe that.

If you have some spare time somewhere,"try exchanging words a little more carefully", it might be nice to have that kind of time.


Wishing you all a wonderful day today as well ^ ^
Thank you for reading until the end.