I loved this story. It reminds me of my experience with Peter the Russian. He ran a shoe repair business in the city where I used to live. Everyone agreed he did great work but were afraid of him. He always had a look of existential despair that kept people at arms length. He spoke in monosyllables and never cracked a smile.

I made an effort to lighten him up. I'd ask how business was, or comment on some bone-headed scheme the City Council was up to. After a year or two, I was able to coax a smile out of Peter. I told everyone I knew that he was okay, you just had to treat him like a human being.

Before long, the local paper ran a story about his life in Russia and how he came to the U.S. Shoe repair in the Soviet era was big business. In the old country, he managed a crew of 50 workers. A one-man shop was a bit of a comedown for him. People read the story and came in asking questions and telling him how happy they were he was here. Everyone got a lot more friendly and Peter started to open up. The next time I went in, he looked happy.

I may not have been the only one to reach out to Peter, but I like to think I made things a bit easier for him. It takes very little effort to show respect and interest but it can have a big impact.