The manager humiliated the old woman in the public… but the guy who had Michael Jordan then found the counter all over again
It was a quiet summer morning when Edith Miller, 82 years old, walked into the Heritage Bank branch in the city center. Edith, who lived for more than 40 years working with him, was there to collect money for her weekly meals. If you always had a friendly and courteous customer, today it was different. Today, Edith lived an experience that was heartfelt and humbling, but which also revealed to her the true power of kindness and leadership.
When reaching the desk to complete the transaction, Edith was met by a young and eager manager named Greg, who had recently ascended to a management position in the branch. I was visibly stressed as the line of customers grew, and the frustration was palpable. Edith, who had hearing difficulties and occasionally had to listen to the instructions clearly, asked her to the driver who would take a question about her when she retired.
—Can you start again, please? —Expected Greg, in a more abrupt tone than necessary—. There are people waiting, and this is taking a long time.
Edith, who had heard it but hadn’t understood it well in her words, tried to explain: «I feel it, dear. No I understood it well.”
Greg’s patience was gone. He raised his voice, heading in front of the growing clientele. «Señora, lleva años viniendo. You should know how to find out your own stories. I’m going back to everyone.”
Edith’s face paled and her hands began to shake. They never talked about them like that, much less in public. The people in the queue rushed to notice the scene. Some customers were removed inconveniences, others exchanged sights, but nadie tried to help.
—I feel it —I say Edith in voice, barely a whisper—. I just wonder that this is good.
Greg, without caring about your objections, muttered in your voice: “Honestly, some people should come to the house and not go to the counter”.
It was then when a voice, calm but authoritative, shortened the tension in the air.
“Disculpe, what acaba de decir?”
The room sat in silence. They all turned their heads in unison, surprised by the unexpected interruption. Standing at the door, with his gaze fixed on the manager, he was nothing less than Michael Jordan.
The legendary icon of the baloncesto, who met at the counter waiting for personal tickets, took part in the entire exchange. Her expression was serious, with her jaw open, incredulous at the outcome that Edith had received.
Greg, upon recognizing the figure in front of him, was momentarily disconcerted by the presence of the famous athlete. “M-Michael Jordan?” Greg says, trying to hide his nervousness. “No… I didn’t know what… O sea, yes, yo…”
Michael Jordan never stopped. He walked directly towards the monster, beyond the sight of Greg’s beak. “No troubles like people”, I said Michael with firmness, and in his voice he spoke throughout the room. “Less than a lady mayor who was decadent working here. What happened was completely unacceptable.”
Greg, now nervous, tried to defend himself. “Just trying to get the things to move forward, and she was pulling back the line…”
—The queue doesn’t matter to me —interrupted Michael in a firm tone. What matters is respect. You are responsible for treating your customers with dignity. And the way you treated this woman was shameful.
The room sat in silence while Michael’s words were silent. The staff behind the display changed nervous glances, and the customers now pay full attention to the scene that unfolds. Michael’s presence inspired respect, and his posture was firm.
“Let me say something very clear,” continued Michael in a calm but authoritative voice. “It doesn’t matter here, I don’t care about what it means to be. Don’t be humiliated by people. Don’t even talk to someone else because you’re going through a difficult moment. Help them and treat them kindly.”
Edith, who had remained silent, trying to process him all, now had tears in her eyes. She tried to contain herself, but Michael’s words made her feel understood, and in this moment, she began to feel so insignificant. We have lived our whole life trying to avoid conflicts, always being polite, even when we don’t buy them. But Michael’s intervention gave her the strength she needed to get up a little higher.
All the counter sat in silence. Nadie came to talk, and everyone hoped what would happen next.
Michael turned to Edith and placed a hand gently on his man. «Señora, I feel so much that you wanted to pass by this. Is it okay?”
Edith cried, containing her tears. “Thank you, Michael. You are happy.”
Michael smiled at her cutely. «Nadie should be treated like this. Not here anywhere else.”
After returning to Greg, Michael’s voice evolved even more. «I want you to discuss it with her. Ahora. And you will be assured that this was not going to happen.”
Greg, visibly affected by the confrontation, quickly gave up. “I… I feel much, señora. To be honest, no one should bother you.”
Edith, although still a little confounded, smiled sweetly. «Gracias. Knowing that you probably had a difficult day, but kindness always helps.”
The moment he suspended himself on the air and entered Michael, once he was at work, he returned and went up the counter, leaving behind a room full of astonished spectators.
A lesson on sliding
The impact of Michael’s intervention did not end there. Subsequently, the counter management contacted Edith, discussing the matter with her and assuring her that changes would be implemented to ensure that all customers were treated with respect and courtesy. Greg, the manager, was reappointed, and the desk implemented new customer care skills programs for all employees, with the goal of emphasizing empathy, patience and professionalism.
As for Michael, his actions were a record for all present, and for the world, of which kindness and respect are the pillars of a great leader. No it was just about being a champion in the dance song; if you want to use this influence to defend the correct one.
In the following days, the story spread and Michael’s reputation grew even more, not only as a deporter, but also as a man who defended others, he used his power for good and recorded to the world that respect and dignity should never be compromised.
For Edith, the experience was a moment of public humiliation in a bondage lesson, and she would never forget the day that Michael Jordan, without doubting it, defended her when anyone else met him.
