People Never Forget How You Make Them Feel

Quotes & Inspiration 22 January 2026

I'm sure we all have anecdotes we can recall about interactions with others, good or bad, and will particularly be able to remember how we felt at the time. This is after all why that particular encounter sticks so vividly in our minds.

When we interact with others, let's remember that while we may be going through our own struggles and hardships there will always be someone else worse off than you. We don't know what the circumstances are that made the teller come across as grumpy, or what made the driver on the cell phone abruptly cut in front of you on the road.

We also need to remember that all our interactions with others are tainted by our own state of mind and how we are currently feeling at that very moment, whether we are in pain or anxious, whether we slept well the night before and are maybe tired.

With this in mind we need to be mindful of how we interact with others, be respectful of whatever may be influencing their current situation and how our own perceptions may be affecting the encounter in our minds and actions.

We are all human and need to be treated with care, empathy and understanding. It's amazing how a few kind words can make all the difference, brighten a person's day, make them feel seen, and possibly diffuse an otherwise difficult situation.

My husband is brilliant at making people feel seen; when he encounters a security guard at the entrance to an estate, he greets each one individually, learning their names, and building a rapport with them, putting the broadest smiles on their faces you ever did see. They have been seen, now not just a nameless person manning a post. Same at the toll booths he goes through; when paying his toll, he greets the teller and orders a takeout meal! The teller has a good laugh with him, and they engage in conversation for a minute, and now the teller that first had a grumpy 'I don't want to be here' look on their face is full of smiles and laughter. And will remember this encounter with the 'crazy man' that made them feel seen and laugh.

I don't get out much, but I make a conscious effort of greeting people, and smiling at people, even if just passing them in the walkway. A smile and kind word costs nothing but can make all the difference for the receiver. I benefit by feeling good myself and get my 'fix' for the day too. So, it's a win-win all round.

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