Meta-Amusement? Is that even a "thing"? I'd like to contend that yes, in fact, it is a legitimate term. A few years ago, I was elected driver of a car load of women headed to a memorable mountain retreat. After getting a late start and knowing we wouldn't arrive in time for dinner, we opted to stop and grab a bite to eat at a small, hole-in-the-wall fast food establishment situated on the hillside along the curvy road. As the four ladies approached the walk-up window we immediately realized that this was no ordinary place. The bright smile of a petite Asian gentleman greeted us at the counter with an order pad and pen in hand. His English was broken, but it was obvious he knew every item listed on his menu board by heart. In fact, he never turned his head to look back as each lady gave him their food request. No. Instead, he fixed his gaze firmly upon each face, sketching away on his notepad and occasionally scrawling something at the bottom to indicate the first letter in an ordered item. I watched with curiosity as the first in line inquired about the sketch. "What are you drawing?" she asked. His response was simple, "You." A bit confused, she probed further. "Why would you be making a sketch of my face?" Without hesitation, the humble gentleman explained that he sketches the faces of customers so he knows who the order belongs to. His tone was matter-of-fact and simple. While this seemed perfectly normal to the man, the novelty of his practice was not wasted on our foursome. The remainder of the women waited anxiously for their turn to place an order, now more so to catch a glimpse of their personalized portrait than to satisfy hunger. Last in line, I watched in amusement as he carefully sketched each lady's face in a personalized manner. I stepped forward toward the order window with an apparently giddy look on my face, reflecting the joy gleaned from observing three sketches and anticipating my own. I gave the man my order, intently observing his hand as it glided over the order pad. I could see that he carefully included uniquely identifying features for each woman in our group, and I immediately knew the last item I would order. "May I please have this sketch when my order is done?" I asked. He merely smiled and said, "Oh, no. I don't give these away they are just to know who ordered the food. You don't want this." While waiting for my order I pondered my strange fascination with the little sketch, and began to think of clever ways to ask again without obtaining "creeper status." Lost in thought, I looked up to find the little man waving me to the counter. After further coaxing, he agreed to give me the sketch (even though he appeared disappointed he was surrendering an unfinished work). Tray of food in one hand and caricature in the other, I approached the table of ladies with a gleaming smile of satisfaction painted across my face. The others giggled as I approached the table, already knowing what that smile meant. One of them asked why I so badly wanted to keep the memento. I explained that I wasn't quite sure, but that I would find a place for it and remember the story behind it. As we climbed back into my car to complete our journey up the hill, I carefully placed my priceless work of art behind the clip of the garage door opener fastened to my sun visor. Satisfied with its placement, I smiled at the sight of the silly grin depicted in the pen drawing of my face. Then it struck me. "I am amused by the look of amusement on my face in this man's artwork!" How odd that this man would choose to capture a customer's moment of order in his simple fast food restaurant. Clearly, his personalized touch and the care taken to interact with each customer on a human level reflected the pride he takes in his work. This man, with a simple gesture, is able to give a bit of himself to each of his customers in a way nearly undetectable to most. So there you have it. Amused by my own amusement. I thought about it for awhile, and then realized this is actually "meta-amusement." The dictionary defines the prefix meta- as: "adj. referring to itself or to the conventions of its genre; self-referential." Yep, amused by the look of amusement is clearly self-referential. I think I just coined a new term. Reminder: Allowing simple sweet details to penetrate your daily life will foster joy and thankfulness. What simple joys have you encountered recently? |
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AuthorDenise Dedini enjoys camping, hiking, crocheting, being Nonna to her grandson, Silas, and teaches 8th grade mathematics. Loving every moment! ArchivesCategoriesFor legal disclaimer click here
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