1) Shortly after I graduated from university, I landed a job as a bank teller in Toronto.
It was, surprisingly enough, one of the best things that happened to me.
It was, surprisingly enough, one of the best things that happened to me.
2) I was shy growing up. I was always the quiet one among friends.
But as a bank teller I was forced to interact with everyone. This helped me break out of my shell.
But as a bank teller I was forced to interact with everyone. This helped me break out of my shell.
3) lt was a small neighbourhood branch with a sociable atmosphere.
The branch manager was Italian, the two personal bankers were Indian and Spanish, the financial advisor was Greek, and my two side-kicks at the till were Irish and Canadian.
The branch manager was Italian, the two personal bankers were Indian and Spanish, the financial advisor was Greek, and my two side-kicks at the till were Irish and Canadian.
4) I was there for three months and absolutely loved it.
What I remember most fondly from my experience was the period leading up to Christmas.
What I remember most fondly from my experience was the period leading up to Christmas.
5) I can’t stand the cold. But for some reason, during each Christmas season, I wouldn’t mind freezing.
I think it had much to do with the wonderful holiday spirit. I loved seeing the entire city come alive.
I think it had much to do with the wonderful holiday spirit. I loved seeing the entire city come alive.
6) Trees and malls would be decorated with lovely-looking lights long before snowfall had any chance to cover them in its fold.
7) Every morning, as I picked up my “double double” from Tim Hortons, I would smile at the sight of Santa and his reindeer doing the rounds on my coffee cup.
8) At our branch, the local radio station was always on as background score for our daily activities.
In December, all they played were Christmas carols.
In December, all they played were Christmas carols.
9) For the first few days I went mad listening, but as time drew on, I found myself humming along.
10) My favorite was Chris Rea’s “Driving Home for Christmas” and The Pogues and Kirsty MacColl’s “Fairytale of New York.”
11) I noticed our customers become friendlier as well.
The grumpy old man was not so grumpy anymore, and the harried small business owner found the time to say hello first.
The grumpy old man was not so grumpy anymore, and the harried small business owner found the time to say hello first.
12) As Charles Dickens once observed... 
13) Just like my colleagues at the bank, we may all have come from different places, but we all still belong to humanity.
No one has exclusivity.
No one has exclusivity.
14) The pandemic is an acute reminder of this.
Our welfare is not in looking after ourselves but in looking after others.
Our welfare is not in looking after ourselves but in looking after others.
15) This Christmas, what we truly need is to give a damn.
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