Serghei at Publix

By: Mike Royer | Alabama's13.com
Published: April 08, 2009

Tonight you'll meet Serghei Alexander. He came to the United States from Russia 3 years ago. He doesn't speak much English... I don't speak much Russian... so we smiled at each other a lot, but through his smile, his kind way and his work ethic, he's made many friends here in our area.

We'll go grocery shopping in tonight's Spirit of Alabama report.

As the register totals the purchase with it's familiar beeping sound, Serghei Alexander is at his post at the Publix store on highway 150 in Hoover. He's a good employee.

"Serghei is very dependable,” said Jason Parker, Publix’s store manager. “He always comes to work on time, he comes in and he's continuously productive and does his job very well."

Serghei is 72 years old. New to America, he speaks just a little English... but he talks to everyone and it doesn't seem to matter much that some of the words aren't pronounced perfectly.

He told me he really enjoys it when customers have children with them.

"I like when customers bring children...Children American, I really like," Alexander said.

Serghei is a happy man. His smile and the way he speaks to people fills the gaps that language barriers may create.

"Yes, we in America 3 years, 3 years."

Serghei is not alone he has children in the area...... He is here to be near them.

"Customers get along with Serghei very well, they enjoy talking to him and conversing with him as best they can," Parker said.

Now, I know a little something about working at a grocery store, it was my first job off the farm. I worked for minimum wage, but took groceries to cars for folks for tips."

But, Serghei is quick to point out that at Publix, taking your groceries to the car is a service they provide, and that's fine with Serghei.

I enjoyed meeting Serghei Alexander and I wanted to thank him for his time and tell him what a good job he did for my story. I enjoyed our last exchange.

"You did a very good job, thank you. I'm glad I got to meet you. Thank you so much."

"You are a real American TV reporter?"

"I'm a real American TV reporter... I hope you'll watch, thank you."

Serghei made me glad i was a real American reporter today. He's glad to have a job, glad to be in America. You don't have to speak perfect English to send that message loud and clear.

That's the Spirit of Alabama.