I still don’t have an EZ-Pass. It’s not because I don’t want one. It’s just one of those little things that I’ve never gotten around to doing. For 7 years. Now I’m wondering if I really should have admitted that to you.

Because of that I always keep change in my car. And I stop for brief exchanges with toll booth operators on the New York State Thruway. The last time this happened my wife and I and our friend Lauren were headed to a wedding.

“You should be nice to the toll booth operators.”

(Lauren recently read a study about them.)

“There are more cases of depression and suicide among toll booth operators than any other profession.”

“I thought that was dentists.”

“I’m just telling you what I read. They said you should always say at least four words to them every time you pass through the booth.”

She got that out just before I rolled my window down.

“Thank you very much, sir.”

Window up and back on the gas pedal.

“Nicely done.”

“Thanks, Lauren.”

The drive was nice and the wedding was beautiful. They even had sodas in glass bottles which taste awesome and make you feel like you’re in the 50’s – if that does anything for you.

Why four words? I’m still thinking about the toll booth operators. It’s probably just enough so they feel like they’re being acknowledged as a person. I can’t blame them. Besides, if it’s true for toll booth workers wouldn’t it be true for the stranger in line at the coffee shop and basically every other human in the world?

Probably.

What if we gave everyone four words?

What if everyone gave us four words?

It probably wouldn’t end conflict in the Middle East but does that mean it’s not worth trying?

Not for me.

“Have a great day.” – CJ

Try it. I dare you.