Immediately after waving to me and saying, “I can ring you up!” the cashier struggled to log into the system. Meanwhile, another cashier said, “I can take you over here.”

A kind offer, but I waited where I was.

The person helping me dashed over to get a manager’s help. “Why isn’t my password working?”

Again, the other cashier: “Really. I can help you, sir.”

“Oh, I don’t mind the wait. We rush around too much anyway. I’m happy to catch my breath.”

What I didn’t explain was my perspective: it’s generous to wait patiently. And it’s a gift to hold space while someone else is trying to do their job. When possible, it’s kind to let them see it through.

Sure enough, after a minute, the password was accepted.

After I finished paying, the cashier said, “Thanks for being patient. I really appreciate that.”

I replied, “I knew you’d get it sorted out!” (I didn’t, really. But patience often involves keeping quietly hopeful in the midst of uncertainty.)