Since I was old enough to have a job, I've worked in customer service roles. Around 2 weeks into my first career as a waitress (at age 15) I was almost fired - my boss gave me an ultimatum: stop looking petrified every time you interact with a customer, and speak up, nobody can hear you. I'm a huge introvert and interacting with strangers confidently was not something that came naturally.
Lucky for me (maybe), I'm also a perfectionist and there was no way I was going to ‘fail’ at my first job! Somehow I figured out that my fear was generally unfounded and gradually I built up my confidence to become damn good at my job.
At that job, and every job that has followed, I've learned the value of going above and beyond for your customers...
When I first arrived in Tokyo, it was the start of February. It snowed the day after we landed. We were sitting in a cafe in Nakameguro - the cafe is actually 2 stores in one, called Soaks / OK Doughnuts, and the doughnuts are better than "ok" - right by the Meguro River. As we were sipping on hot coffee (and perhaps some mulled wine), I spotted the first flakes of snow drifting down. It was so magical and exciting! I knew I wasn't in Kansas (or Sydney) anymore.