Can we become a more understanding world?

Today, I was standing in line behind an elderly couple at Walmart. They had received a check of some kind from Walmart that had something to do with their social security. All this little couple knew to do was bring the check to the store and spend it at the check out counter. Apparently the check did not come with any more explicit instructions.

The lady behind the counter was already moving extra slow, and I think the couple was a little perturbed by her inability to check efficiently. However, the man's aggravation was pricked even more highly when the cashier didn't know what to do with the check he had handed her.

She looked strangely at him as if the check were written in some kind of foreign language. After a moment, she simply inquired, "What is this?"

That sent this man over the edge.
"What do you mean, what is this?" he growled at her.
She was unfazed at his reply.
"I got this check in the mail from Walmart!" he snapped, again.

"Well, sir, I have never seen anything like this before. I don't know what to do with it," the cashier responded as if she didn't even realize that there was a problem. She flipped on the light to her lane and waited for help to arrive.

That is when I started thinking.

This world is really not good to the elder generation. We don't take the time to explain things to those in this world who don't understand all the new fangled technology that comes out every day. We tend to just get offended by or become numb to the anger and frustration of others who just don't get it.

When the manager came to help the cashier, she simply began barking instructions to this little couple... Enter your social security number, sign the machine, enter your number again, etc.

The man just started grumbling under his breath to his wife. "Why do they send you checks that you can't use? Why can't they just send me the money in a way that I can put it in the bank? I hate it when they try to confuse me this way!"

That kind of "help" doesn't seem to solve the problem at all. It just heightens the frustration of everyone involved.

Maybe instead of snapping directions at elderly customers, managers should train people to patiently explain the reasons for how and why things work the way that they do. Instead of becoming aggravated with why someone doesn't understand, instruct them in a nice tone of voice so that they will comprehend the situation. Instead of passing people off as unteachable, find a way to teach them on their own terms.