This simple signboard put up by a coffee shop has inspired consumers to be kind to workers

People are largely empathetic and it only takes a simple gesture to lead by example and bring out the best among them. Acts of kindness demonstrate empathy and it just might end up brightening someone's day. Based on this belief, a coffee shop located within the Grandin Village area of the Roanoke Valley decided to display its regular coffee menu in a slightly different way. But the impact from the simple step and pricing policy whiteboard placed outside the shop, made a major difference, per WDBJ7.

A few years back, the cafe gained public attention when they installed a special notice for customers that encouraged them to maintain basic etiquette and courtesy while eating. The sign explicitly pointed out individuals failing to greet their fellow customers with either "hello" or "please." The menu board placed outside the CUPS Coffee and Tea shop read: "One small coffee' $5.00, One small coffee, please $3.00, Hello, I'd like one small coffee, please, $1.75."

The community appreciated the sign that essentially reminded people to be kind towards service industry workers. A server at the cafe named Austin Simms was the one who came up with the idea and prepared the signboard. The outlets shared that he was initially trying to be funny but he did not expect it to get so much traction and go viral on the internet as well. "I decided because I need to solve all the injustices of the world to start charging more for people who didn't take the time to say hello and connect and realize we're all people behind the counter," Simms joked.

The news was shared on X by @SkyGoBuy and fellow netizens shared their thoughts on the gesture. @PatTweetsNow commented, "It won't be genuine though if there is a $ incentive. Most people say please and thank you. Those that won't as adults haven't been brought up with manners and won't be easy to change." @CATCAM30 mentioned, "People are rude & that's why customer service jobs are short-staffed." @1ManRaid shared, "Literally illegal in a lot of places for discriminating against people with diagnosed social anxiety issues. My social anxiety isn't that bad but I'd take my business somewhere that doesn't have compelled speech." @TheRealJasperG added, "In my experience in hospitality it's generally been older people that are less polite and entitled to be honest."

In another gesture of a similar nature, a family in South Carolina raised over $250,000 to help their 72-year-old Domino's delivery driver after she was injured while delivering food a while back. The delivery driver Barbara Gillespie's accident was captured in the security footage of the family's cctv camera which was later shared on TikTok. The homeowner, Kevin Keighron found Gillespie struggling at the porch while she even apologized for dropping their food. He and his wife Lacy Klein ended up setting up a GoFundMe page for Gillespie where they received generous donations from strangers. Domino's later told Good Morning America that they were "grateful for the caring customers who were able to help her transform her life so meaningfully.”