Robin Sieger Blog

Today I had my last official piece of business, which required I travel by train three hours to a meeting that would last an hour at the most. The meeting had to be face to face, which given the six hours travelling that it would require, made it a long day.

I had planned to write my Christmas cards. A good plan until I discovered the movement on the train made my handwriting appear to be that of an over worked doctor, issuing a prescription whilst on the run. So I just looked out of the window and let my mind wander.

The ticket inspector was in his early sixties, originally from India given his strong accent, and I noticed him coming down my carriage. He seemed to take longer than average with each customer, so when he got to me I handed him my ticket rather absent mindedly. He gave me a big old smile and informed me of the station where I would have to change to get my connection. His smile was infectious and I smiled broadly back at him, before he moved on to the next passenger.

When I got to the station I found him waiting by my door. As I got off the train, he got off too, and pointed to the platform where I would get my connection, then pointed to another rail employee and said, "ask Peter he'll show you where to go… have a safe trip", before boarding the train.

I travel a great deal and rarely experience the level of genuine engagement that ticket inspector gave every passenger. He made my day, and made me aware that we never forget how we make people feel.

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