Meet Asda trolley man Dave whose selfie is online hit
“If everyone was a little more like Dave, the world would be a much better place.”
That’s what regular customer Janine Green said on Instagram about Dave Baker, a porter at Asda in Great Bridge, who’s been putting smiles on people’s faces in his role since the store opened 21 years ago.
Dave, aged 53, often poses for selfies with customers like Janine giving a big thumbs up as he collects trolleys in the car park.
Dave, who lives in Great Bridge, said: “I do try to be friendly and people do say I’ve always got a smile on my face, but that’s just how I am. It’s nice to get recognition and appreciation from customers, but really I’m only just doing my job.
"I just love meeting people and I always say hello to customers when they arrive.
"As I've worked here for so long I know a lot of the customers and they all know me. And I do like to have a chat with them while I'm doing my job."
After Janine's selfie was posted on the Asda Facebook page, hundreds of people praised Dave for his positive outlook.
More than 17,000 people have liked the selfie with it being shared more than 600 times.
Janine added: "He is quite simply one of the kindest, politest, happiest, most positive people I've ever met."
Beverley Jayne Bird, also posted on Facebook to say: "He's such a lovely happy friendly man we need more like him in the world.
"He's a credit to Asda, me and my mom went the other week and he stopped us and made our day.
"Maybe someone should do something amazing for him he deserves it."
Douglas Sykes added: "Here is a man who deserves recognition for his service to the community as they shop."
Dave, whose younger brother Andy works in the store's warehouse, also cares for his elderly mother.
He said: "I'm never bored at work. I love my job and I love helping people.
"If any customer needs help taking their shopping to their car and putting it in I'm only to do it for them."
Store manager Richard Kennea said Dave is a real asset to the store.
He added: "Dave really is a local celebrity. He's extremely popular with all our customers, always saying hello to them when they arrive and most of them know him by name.
"He's just a really friendly nice guy who always has a smile on his face and who loves to help. Dave will never, ever let you down. He is so passionate about his job and he's such a valuable member of the team."
The store's community champion Parv Barsi, said: "Dave is just a genuine happy chappy, who always goes out of his way to help people. He is a real pleasure to have around."
Customer service manager Tracey Davis, who started work on the same day as Dave, said: "All our customers love him, from children right through to pensioners.
"He will always go out of his way to help them. Nothing is too much trouble, that's why he is such a credit to the store and to Asda.
"Only today a customer came up to me and said that Dave really did brighten up her day.
"He's such a gentleman, a real character. He's so polite – he's always got a 'morning, afternoon and evening' greeting for his customers.
"He's exactly the same with his colleagues, especially the car park team. They all love him. They think he's brilliant!"
