…What do You Say?…
"What a nice weather! It’s good, isn’t it? We probably would have nice sunny days this weekend", says a man with dark hair. He’s probably around 45-50, wearing expensive-looking suit.
"Yes, that would be nice if we have some sun light. The last three weekends were totally wet. Three in row!", replies the other man. He is around the same age as the dark hair man, wearing dark blue jeans and a dark sweatshirt.
Yes. This is a coffee shop. I work here. I see people come and go. People buying coffee before they go to work. People taking a break from work. People meeting people. Or people who just want to sit alone drinking coffee.
Small talk is considered normal here, eventhough in some countries people are just so cold that they seems to be allergic to it. Weather is one of popular subjects. Today is my twenty-sixth time hearing people talking about weather. It’s not because I am lacking of activities that I am counting people’s conversation topic. It’s just because I love statistics. Weather 26. Politics 10. Celebrity-gossips 16. Soccer games 9. See? And also it is not my intention to listen to what people are talking. It’s just because I suppose to stand here, making coffee for their orders.
"You see that man over there?", says the dark hair man. "He must be a terrible worker. Look what time this is! It’s not even 10 in the morning. And he is having lunch? What kind of worker attitude is that?"
The jeans man looks to the direction he is pointing out. And so do I. I see a young man sitting down beside a telephone box just outside. He is eating his hamburger. He is wearing a uniform. He must be working at the supermarket around the corner.
"That young man eating hamburger, you mean?", asked the jeans man.
"Yes. Well…. I am sorry, I must sound harsh. I just don’t like seeing people stopping from work while they are suppose to be working. It shows lack of dicipline, you know? I think if anyone is willing to push himself hard enough to run at his peak productivity rate, he would be able to get anything in his life.", says the dark hair man. He pauses a while, then says "Well, anyway.. It’s not my business."
"Yeah. I can see what you mean. But I don’t think we can measure productivity by only looking at people’s action which are directly related to production itself. Yes he stops working to eat. But how do you know that if he doesn’t eat now, he would give the same rate of productivity as before? He’s hungry. He feels weak. Maybe a little bit sleepy. Then he will produce less than what he should. Besides he may not be doing it everyday, I suppose? I don’t know.", the jeans man answers.
"Yes, I agree. I just don’t like the idea that people are doing something else besides of working during office hours. I may sound too conservative. I think people must have hard-working attitude. In the long run, that would make them great achievers", says the dark hair man.
"That’s true. People should be performing at their best. That is what every employer wants. But I would not disregard the fact that people have freedom to choose. To choose what is best. In some cases, people may choose to walk away from work for a while just to make themselves more productive in the remaining hours. That may sound strange. But that happens. Actually, I sometimes do that", says the man in jeans.
I am making cappuccino. But my ears can not stop listening to them. Very interesting. I just want to know what their final conclusion would be. Or, would there be a conclusion at all? Is this just another small talk, or should I take their opinions seriously? In fact, I know Harry, the guy sitting outside eating hamburger. I know he got an award last month in the store. His boss likes him. Of course he’s not earning money as much as this dark hair man, maybe. But, is he right about Harry should be pushing himself harder working? Does he make a fair judgment about Harry. The jeans man sounds right too about people are responsible to make the best choice. But, the best for whom?
"What do you say, Linda?", asks the jeans man to me. "What is your opinion?"
What do I say? I don’t know. But of course I got to say something. Or should I just give my best smile?
My answer is, "Well… I don’t have any particular opinion yet. I must admit that I like the weather talk better, though 
Here, your orders. Have a nice day, and hopefully a wonderful weekend!"
That’s my other way of saying "mind your own business, pal!"
