Finding Joy In A Messy World
I work as a bartender at a local pub, and one of my favorite parts of the job is getting to know the regulars who show up, especially on my closing shifts. They’ve become more than just customers — they’re part of the fabric of my everyday life.
Last year, right after the election, I wanted to do something small to bring people joy. Something silly, lighthearted, a little unexpected. So I bought 250 tiny resin ducks. At first, my plan was just to hide them around the pub and see if anyone noticed. But it quickly turned into something bigger.
It started with one of our longtime regulars — the guy who sits in his unofficial spot at the bar almost every day. I told him about my sneaky plan, and he loved it. He even asked if he could help hide one. Since I had hundreds to spare, I gave him one to keep. He laughed, and that laugh sparked an idea: why not give ducks to people instead of just hiding them?
From there, it snowballed. I started sharing my little duck adventure with customers, slipping them into people’s hands with a smile. One couple who ran a dance studio told me they were going to superglue their duck to the sound booth — and the next time they came in, they showed me a picture to prove it. My coworkers got in on it too. One made it his personal mission to track down every duck I hid and toss them into “duck jail,” a corner by the host stand printer. Others started asking me for ducks to give to their friends.
Soon, it wasn’t just my thing anymore. It became our thing. My regulars would ask me how the duck adventure was going. People would laugh, share stories, or light up when I handed them a tiny duck of their own.
People were still reeling from the 2024 election, and honestly, the world felt heavy. The ducks didn’t fix anything, but they gave people a little break from reality. A laugh, a smile, a reminder that even in hard times, joy still exists in small, unexpected places.
That’s what I love about hospitality — it’s not just serving drinks or running food. It’s about creating moments. And sometimes, it’s as simple as a silly resin duck.
Because if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s this: the world is a mess, but we all need those little pockets of joy to keep going.
Also, if you want to bring some joy to people, you can find the ducks I bought if my Fav Things page.
