{UAH} The Selfish Reason You Should Be Extremely Generous

A few weeks ago, I was passing through Phoenix airport. I'd just picked up lunch and was looking for a place to eat it. I stumbled upon a huge seating area attached to a fast food restaurant. With the exception of a man in a suit at one table, the place was empty. I figured no one would care if I sat down and scarfed my salad.

Almost immediately, a surly restaurant employee appeared and abruptly announced that if I hadn't bought anything, I couldn't sit there. I thought she was joking. But when I laughed, she just glared at me. Behind her was a sign that read, Welcome to Phoenix: The friendliest airport in America!

Without warning, I became irrationally angry. "I can see that you've got a lot of patrons trying to find a table," I snarled, "Are you going to call security if I don't leave?" Her response was more glaring, and then came the nuclear option: "I'm going to get my manager!" As she marched off, I started shoveling the salad into my mouth, vowing that I wasn't going to leave unless they carried me out. It was not one of my finer moments.

All of a sudden, someone plopped a bottle of water on my table. I looked up to find the man in a suit from the other table handing me a receipt. He grinned and declared, "You just bought a bottle of water! Now, they can't kick you out. Enjoy your lunch!" Before I could register what had happened, he was gone.

I felt equal parts inspired (by Suit Man's behavior) and embarrassed (by mine). I'd chosen to argue when I didn't have to; he'd chosen to give when he didn't have to.

Wow, what a guy! I thought, as I imagined Suit Man's Life of Generosity. His family probably treasured him. His coworkers probably adored him. And his blood pressure was almost certainly lower than mine.

http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/246837

Brian M. Kwesiga

President and CEO,

Ugandan North American Association - UNAA

972.415.6372 | www.unaa.org | "United We Stand"