Lenoir — rushed, crowded and stressful when crunched for time between classes.
Common courtesy tends to be left in the Pit when the lunchtime crowd comes in around noon.
Not to say this is a terrible crime; between people pushing in the mac and cheese line and the immediate bad blood that forms when that table gets snagged, even though your hand was on one of the chairs, it’s easy to get annoyed — and fast — in Lenoir.
The weekdays are stressful enough, so when we arrive at the dining halls, our first thoughts aren’t usually on our manners. Despite the limited time, and seating, it’s important to keep your cool even when that last M&M cookie gets snatched from the case.
We tend to forget that our occasionally sassy attitudes don’t just affect our fellow students. The Carolina Dining Services workers are the unsung heroes of UNC, but they tend to get the brunt of our bad attitudes.
Despite the hustle and bustle of the everyday, these are the people who our typical teenage (and post-teenage) angst should never be directed at. Sound like I’m getting on a soapbox? Well, try to hear me out.
During my first year at UNC, I was so surprised at the lack of gratitude some, but definitely not all, students showed towards the cafeteria workers. I noticed the quick demand of certain food items without thank-yous to follow.
Perhaps my parents just drilled the art of appreciation in me from a young age, but I can’t be the only one noticing the disparity of thankfulness from others. This might be a soapbox, but it’s an important one.
CDS workers are some of the kindest employees I’ve encountered on campus. Not only do they work long and hard hours, but they are also responsible for a large portion of students’ dietary well-being. And for that, a small thank-you goes a long way.
