Random acts of kindness

10 years ago

I like helping people when I can. Not long ago an elderly woman was having trouble bagging her groceries. They called for a bagger to help, but no one was coming.

We were leaving with ours, and I handed my bags to my husband and said I was going to help her. I went back and asked her if she would like help and she was surprised and said she would Love some help. So I did, and walked out with her, where an employee came and assisted her the rest of the way to her car.

Today the high end grocery store was asking for $2 to feed the kids. I didn't give any at this store. We were then at the Dollar store, and the gentleman ahead of me really wanted some items and dumped his change on the counter and the clerk counted it and said that he could only buy 3 items instead of the 4 or 5 that he had. Anyway I gave her the $2 needed so he could have everything that he wanted. The clerk gave me a big smile and a wink and he was able to get his things. She told me that he's such a nice guy and comes in often, and would never ask anyone for anything.

I felt better offering my $2 right then and there where someone needed it.

Finally at the other grocery store, they were again asking for $2, and in return you got $2 of coupons for their store brand products. I gave $2 there.

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Comments (4)

ravencajun Zone 8b TX
10 years ago
I think it's the best way to live life, because some day I may be the one in need and I would hope some nice generous person would be there to help.
I pay it forward as often as possible.
lisa_fla
10 years ago
The nice thing about your dollar store scenario is 100% of your money goes directly to someone in need! I try to help too. Today I am going a bit out of my way to do the afternoon high school carpool so the afternoon driver doesn't have to do it. I have to be out this afternoon anyway (to pick up overnight clothes for my daughters friend) because I am helping another kids Mom by keeping her daughter overnight. The Mom is flying to NY to check her sister with stage 4 cancer out of the hospital and get her on a plane to fly home (Carribean). Hopefully the karma gods will hold off on the expected bad weather till I'm home!
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Kate, you are so right that we all probably have a neighbor that could use a little friendship and I'm so happy that you've been inspired to visit yours. Here I have a cranky old lady next door that thinks I'm completely off my rocker to do any yard work. She says it's a "man's job" and I'm making a big mistake by doing it. LOL! We like her anyway but she has no interest in making her yard look better. There is a lady up the street that has beautiful orchids hanging in her trees and I've tried to be friendly with her but she's not very chatty. So many people just are wary and suspicious when you try to be nice to them. I am looking forward to visiting my dh's new acquaintance. ~Betsy
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Restores your faith in humanity, doesn't it? I've had things like that happen to me and I've also dealt with workmen who are looking to get every extra nickel. The guy who reno'd my bathroom was constantly looking for ways to add extras. It got to be a battle of the wits. He may have gotten extra money out of me then, but he lost in the long run since I do not recommend him to others nor would I hire him again, even though his work was very good. Be sure to mention their good deed to others.
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It's really true there are so many good people in the world. Your story is fantastic Annie! Very memorable. This weekend, we played the Florida Gators on Saturday. It was unseaonably cold, so coffee was in order. Evidently, all the fans thought so, as Starbucks was packed! The man in front of me, a Florida fan, obviously not a Nashvillean (nor a Vandy fan, as I am!), asked his daughter to save his place in line because he had to take his son to the bathroom. She didn't want to. When I offered to save his place, he seemed wary??? but let me. We ended up having a nice conversation. I hope he left Nashville a bit happier to have met us, but I wondered did he not encounter this behavior often enough that he needed to be wary? I think most people are farily friendly. Curious. The neighborhood I just moved to, it is the standard for people who are driving stop and pull over to let cars, bicyclists, runners, etc. pass. It's a "cut through" street, that is only 5-10 minutes from downtown, so it is somewhat unusual, but I really like it! Nice, easy-paced, kind people. Makes me feel all warm inside to drive down the street and have city folk waving hello to me. I always say thank you when someone holds the door. It doesn't bother me if someone doesn't say thank you (what bothers me is someone rushing to go out the door I am opening to go in, but those folks are rare, THANKFULLY!). I also let the person who held the door for me go in front of me in line, if there is one. You'd be amazed how amazed they are. I tell them, "Just because you held the door doesn't mean you end up farther back in line, that's not fair!" Nine times out of ten, they won't take the place. I like those nine the best, the most gentlemanly.
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I love RAKs! Out of the blue, unexpected, and so sweet. They put a smile on my face even when they're not for ME, but I was able to witness. I work at a thrift store and many of the customers are shopping while they wait for their turn at the food pantry next door. When I started, if someone was "short" a little bit I'd make up the difference. Over time, I learned I just cannot sustain doing that. Anyway, this past week, a lady who didn't speak much English was making a purchase and she was 55-cents short. She kept talking to her GF, who rolled her eyes and said it happened all the time as the first lady had trouble thinking in Dollars and Cents. Another food pantry customer heard the conversation, while the first lady was trying to figure what to put back and came up and paid the 55 cents. First lady was thrilled and thanked the stranger profusely. An hour or so later, first lady and her GF came back through and bought a little more. This time, the GF paid and she took all her leftover change and put it in our Donations jar. In my eyes, that was TWO people paying it forward!
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socks
10 years ago
Thanks for the reminder to help when possible. I was always so deeply appreciative when people held the door for me when I was on crutches. It's nothing to them, everything to me!

On a longish bus trip recently, a woman got on and gave her credit card to the driver. The bus took off, and at the next stop the driver told the woman her card had been declined and she had to get off the bus. She was getting ready to do so, and another passenger (not me) stepped up and paid her fare, and it was over $30!

This post was edited by socks12345 on Fri, Feb 21, 14 at 16:27
kayjones
10 years ago
Jas, that's how I do it, too. This morning, I went and got my hair cut. This young lady cuts my grandson's hair, so I learned her story the last time I had his hair cut.

I normally leave a 20% tip to service people, but today, I left her a 50% tip because spring break is coming up and she is trying to save enough money to fly her teenage daughter here.

When I find someone who I feel needs a bit of help, I will contribute what I can.

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Comments (4)

ravencajun Zone 8b TX

lisa_fla

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