I never expected a trip to the DMV—well, the Tax Collector, as we call it in Florida—to leave me reflecting on the essence of service. But that’s exactly what happened when my husband and I went to pick up my new Margaritaville license plate, a special tribute created in honor of Jimmy Buffett’s passing.
The plate itself is joyful and nostalgic. A little slice of Florida whimsy that nods to music, memory, and the art of not taking life too seriously. But what truly stayed with me wasn’t the plate. It was the experience.
Having lived in Maryland for years, I was conditioned to expect the worst from a trip to the MVA. Long lines. Frustrated staff. A full day lost to bureaucracy. You braced yourself before walking in, hoping to get through it without too much friction.
Florida’s Tax Collector office is the opposite. We were in and out in ten minutes. Every person we encountered offered a smile, a kind word, and a sense of ease that felt almost surreal. And when we realized we’d forgotten a screwdriver to install the plate? They loaned us one—actually, they had both kinds—without hesitation, and with genuine warmth.
It wasn’t just efficient. It was human. It anticipated the needs of the consumer and thought of all the possibilities. Talk about a trust builder!
And that’s what struck me most. Because whether you’re issuing license plates or leading a hospital team, experience is never just about the task—it’s about how people feel while doing it. It’s about tone, presence, and the micro-moments that build trust.
The Tax Collector didn’t just hand me a plate. They modeled what service can be: kind, thoughtful, uncomplicated—even joyful.
In a world where we often overcomplicate experience with dashboards and metrics, this was a quiet reminder that sometimes the best service is simple. A smile. A tool. A moment of ease.
Jimmy Buffett said it best in Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes:
“If we couldn’t laugh, we would all go insane.”
That line has always made me smile, but on this day, it felt like a philosophy. A gentle nudge toward grace, humor, and the kind of light-hearted service that makes even the DMV feel like Margaritaville…well without the tequila.
So here’s to the people who make bureaucracy feel like a breeze. You’re not just collecting taxes. You’re collecting trust.
What’s your favorite “wow” moment of service?
Whether it was a hospital, a hotel, or a hardware store—share a story that made you feel seen, safe, or simply smiled at. Let’s celebrate the people who make everyday moments extraordinary. When we notice the small stuff it’s our own little “Ticket to Paradise.”