If you work in an office someplace, there’s a kind of protocol about saying “hello” to people at work. The first “hello” of the morning, the first time you see someone, is usually strong – you look them in the eye, you might smile, you might stop for a minute, and you say it with conviction – “Hello!”

Then as the day goes on, when you run into that person again and again, the “hello’s” become more subdued, gradually moving from the first strong “Hello!” into a “hi,” and eventually just a nod as you pass by. But the first “Hello!” with an exclamation point only happens once. Because it would feel weird to keep saying “Hello!” with an exclamation point all day long.

School is different. Particularly the elementary school environment. The first time a kid sees me, and EVERY time throughout the day after that, it’s always “HI MR. MILLER!” Even if they’re in a line and supposedly being quiet. Even if they’ve seen me 17 times already that day. It’s always “HI MR. MILLER!” as I walk by.

So a minute ago, as I was walking toward that famous Scottish ethnic restaurant next door, McDonalds, I passed an entire class and heard this:

HI MR MILLER

HI MR MILLER

HI MR MILLER

HI MR MILLER

HI MR MILLER

HI MR MILLER

etc.

At first, this kind of takes you back a little if you’re used to an office environment.  But I gotta say, sometimes it wouldn’t be a bad thing to just hire a bunch of these little guys to follow me around all day, everywhere, and say hi to me repeatedly.