Copenhagen’s Airport.

The duty free shopping area is filled with passengers looking for a bargain on their way to board their plane. Alcohol bottles, beauty products, ridiculously oversized candy bars… The baskets get full and lines are forming towards the cashiers.

When my turn comes, I give the clerk a quick look. The young, fit, blond woman scanning my goods embodies the exact stereotype of your perfect Danish girl… Her hands move swiftly and she obviously cares more about my boarding pass and credit card than about the person handing them to her. She sees so many people in a day of work, why would she care, anyway? People come, people go. Life goes on.

My attention is drawn to a daisy ring on her finger. I recognize the delicate piece of jewelry as part of the collection created in the Queen’s honor… I could just pay and leave. What difference? But I just can’t help it…

– I love your ring!

The clerk looks up to me, making real eye contact for the first time. She hasn’t quite caught my compliment.

– Your ring, it is lovely… I really like it!

As a reflex, she joins hands and caresses the little daisy flower with the tip of her finger. Her face lights up, and she welcomes my comment with a wide smile.

I could tell her I know about the Queen-related story of the ring, to show her I’m not just attracted to pretty stuff. But it is unnecessary. I take back my card, pick up my bag, and greet her back with a smile, happy to have made her feel good for a second in her day.

Just a visit to the duty free store. Just a minute encounter and a short feel good moment over a simple ring…

Little things.