I had a great Dad.
You would have liked him.
A lot!
Totally “old fashioned” and what today’s “me generation” would think as out of step … Louis E. Ruffolo was truly a man’s man.
With the beating heart of a cuddly teddy bear.
He loved listening to Nat King Cole, Andy Williams, Sergio Mendez and Brazil 66 … and Frank Sinatra songs were always on the family record player.
I mean come on … Andy Williams?
He had a distain for computers (like this laptop I am using) and was #1 salesman of his Chicago employers, outselling all of the young turks counterparts by only using a notepad, pencil and telephone.
My Dad could sell “ice to an Eskimo” or “sand to an Arab”.
He was that good.
But his lasting legacy to me was that my Dad was the consummate gentleman.
When he and Mom would escape their children (i.e. myself and three siblings) out for dinner in his primo 1965 P1800 Volvo sports car, he would not allow her to get inside without opening the door for her. When he and I would be at a local shopping mall and ready to go up an escalator – he would motion me to stop and allow one or more ladies go ahead of us.
Always with a genuine smile.
Which was returned in kind.
I watched everything my father did – how he spoke to people – giving deep respect to everyone he met.
Skin color meant nothing to him. You could be green, black, while or green, it never mattered to Louis Ruffolo. He was a true gentle man.
I have tried to walk in his footsteps every day.
When I am in a local mall, I stop myself from using the escalator and always allow one or more ladies to go ahead of me. Likewise when entering a building … I’ll wait however long it takes for a lady (or three) to go ahead of me.
Best is when waiting for an elevator.
One time, I was in a fancy office building in New York City and held the elevator doors open for several well-dressed ladies to enter first, holding back several men back with a flick of my arm, refusing them entry.
The women all smiled at me.
Which was returned in kind.
It was during this trip to the Big Apple that I was to attend a business meeting that could bring a new account and fat paycheck as well. When I entered the appointed office, I was motioned inside to meet the CEO … only to face the radiant smile of one of the ladies that I had just showed deep respect to moments before downstairs in the lobby.
Just by holding the elevator doors.
It costs nothing to be a gentleman.
I was taught that it is so easy to be nice to other people. To share a positive spirit … to speak pleasing to one another and share genuine warmth with people you do not know and probably will never meet again.
It’s just the way I am.
Several years ago … I was on a business trip to Madrid, Spain and needed to send a fax document back to my office in China. Since my language skills in Spain are clearly subpar, a well-dressed young lady at the hotel’s business center immediately came to my aid. Adjusting my tie and suit coat, I quickly spent my last Euros watching the document being scanned and transmitted and left the office penniless but grateful I could meet such a delightful person to assist in making my deadline.
I then walked immediately to the front desk and asked to speak with the hotel manager. Stammering a reply, a staff member asked why, I told the associate that I would like to speak with the manager about the service I had just received at the hotel business center. Fearing the worse, I was immediately escorted downstairs and brought to the General Manager’s sumptuous office. I was warmly greeted and motioned to sit with him. I told this senior manager what wonderful customer service I had received and with a beaming smile suggested that he reward his staff for the exceptional attentive service I had been given.
Clearly taken aback … his reply coming with tear filled eyes. I was told that he has to respond to many negative reports each day from outraged guests that it fills his working hours with angst. He was so pleased to hear of my positive experience and that I would seek him out to share this wonderful experience.
After several minutes of sharing deep positive feelings, I then rose and bid my adieu to leave for my daily business appointment.
I returned to my hotel room that evening to a startling surprise … as there was a massive plastic-covered basked filled with food and drink … and a personal note from my new general manager friend.
Dear Reader … I did not share my experience at the hotel business center with the General Manager to get gain but to share a wonderful positive moment.
Just today … I was on the phone with a banking representative with Wells Fargo Bank in America. The woman I spoke with provided exceptional customer service as she immediately answered the varied questions I had about the bank and its fees. I told her how great her service was and asked her if I could offer a “kudo” to her supervisor. Taken aback for a moment and with a flutter in her voice, I was immediately transferred to her supervisor’s voice mail … where I left a detailed message, telling him how grateful I was to have encountered this person whose service was so pleasant and positive.
My father taught me by example as I am trying to do with my two young sons – to show respect without having to be asked.
It’s the old maxim … what goes around comes around.
