People are all the same. This is an innocuous comment from an acquaintance I had years ago. And a bit simplified. Her statement was given with a shrug of the shoulders and a resignation that she knew she was right, in an offhand sort of way.

What? We all desire the same things? We all act the same way? Taken out of context, this sentence can mean numerous things. And it can be misconstrued. Instead of showing someone that you understand, these words could also mean that you just don’t care. That people are all the same so I’m finished talking about it. Yet, it can also be a generalization. In many ways, all humankind is alike. If I stated that everyone loves a bit of encouragement, I believe anyone would nod their head in agreement.

Our daughters were so funny growing up. If we said, “Heather, I like that drawing you did of the cat,” Jennifer would pop up and reply, “I have a cat drawing too.” When Jennifer noted, “I can run fast,” Heather would state, “I’ve got legs, too.” Each child wanted to be complimented and noticed and recognized. It became a memorable family story. If one daughter was complimented, we laughingly stated about the other daughter, “I’ve got legs, too.” Each one wanted value and it was our job description as parents to give them that recognition.

Today, that thought popped into my head as we were eating breakfast at Cafe Lisboa in Granada, Spain. Wandering through the Albaicin neighborhood by the Darro River, Rick and I were ready for an americano and omelet. And this eatery was luring us in. Taking a seat and sipping the delicious blend of Nicaraguan coffee, we smiled at the Spanish conversations swirling around us. We have become avid people watchers over the years, and indeed, our best conversations can be about our observations. Like our interest in the gentleman diner the other day. The men sitting on the piazza bench who chortled with laughter. Everyday activities which are meaningless, yet so intriguing. Yes, sometimes, people are all the same. No matter what country we are in. And I mean this in a positive way. I believe that people just all want to be happy. And that means a totally different thing to everyone everywhere. Yet here we were watching the world in this particular cafe just float by. The laughing, chatting, eating Spaniards.

And people are all the same in that each person desires a bit of appreciation. A recognition. They want to be valued. In the Cafe this morning, we remarked to the young woman behind the bar that she was a hard worker. We had seen her quickly moving between customers, making sure every guest’s needs were met. The older woman working in the kitchen overheard us and immediately leaned out the swinging door and retorted, “Me too.” Rick and I just laughed. Everyone wants to be appreciated and recognized. People all around the world are the same.

“I’ve got legs, too.”

Yo tambien tengo piernas!