A New Year's Gift: Serendipity in Starbucks

I am writing this second blog entry in Starbucks Libis, while wondering how to finish this venti latte in front of me. This was not supposed to be my second entry, nor was I supposed to have a venti latte—but one thing my control freak self learned this year is, when the Universe moves, sometimes it’s better to just move with it.

What was supposed to have been my usual tall non-fat two-Splenda latte, and another entry altogether, changed ten minutes ago in an almost-surreal demonstration of mankind’s innate goodness.

When I arrived at Starbucks, a windbag know-it-all near the head of the queue was telling people to line up in a certain direction—only to realize, when the queue had built up considerably, that it was the wrong direction; and because newcomers who knew better had come in, the queue now stretched in two directions. Unfortunately, those who were queued up in the wrong direction had to move to the end of the right queue.

Now while most people think I’m a bitch, close friends know that beneath the sharp-tongued bitching and the perennially raised eyebrow, I’m really a nice guy. And this afternoon, the nice guy in me—who happened to be standing at the end of the right queue—let the two ladies from the wrong end of the queue ahead of me, graciously and with a smile.

I didn’t expect a thank you; one of my pet peeves about Filipinos is an inability to say “thank you” as often as they should. But these two ladies did, graciously and with a smile. And more than that: the second lady, a charming and eloquent Chinese lady, overheard my disappointment that the only drink I could get with the coupon I had was a praline mocha (bleccch), when all I wanted was my usual tall non-fat two-Splenda latte—and so she traded my praline mocha coupon for the venti latte she had ordered for herself.

“Ngayon lang ba kayo nagkakilala?” the barista asked in amused surprise, when Joji, the Chinese lady, explained the trade.

“Yes,” said Joji. “I’m just really thankful that he let me ahead of him in line. There’s hope yet for the Philippines.”

After that, Joji and I made proper introductions, exchanged a bit of small talk about our work and where we were headed, wished each other Happy New Year, and went our separate ways; which brings me to where I am now, enjoying this venti latte, and still slightly giddy at this awakening that there is hope not just for the Philippines, but for mankind—a surprising and slightly embarrassing reminder that maybe, not all people are as devoid of gratitude and goodwill as I typically think. I’ll keep this in mind next year; and with this renewed faith in people, maybe this eyebrow of mine won’t have to be raised as often.

Not a bad gift from the Universe at the threshold of 2011, eh? Happy New Year!