Random Acts of Kindness

[LuckyDog Poker Art]

ChrisChip10 suggested a random act of kindness in another thread which reminded me of a situation that I suppose would fall into this category.

As I was pulling into a fast food drive thru lane, another car was also attempting to enter the lane from a different direction. I arrived just a bit earlier and she waved me ahead.  I thought that gesture was nice, as it seemed we almost arrived at the same time.  But her simple wave saved me some time and I needed that today.  When I pulled up to the cashier, I asked how much the lady's order was and, since it wasn't too much, I gladly paid for it.  As I grabbed my food from the next window, the lady behind me was pleasantly surprised and gave me a friendly wave.  I know it wasn't much but I'm sure it was unexpected and a fine way to return a nice gesture.

Anyone else have a nice, simple act of kindness they care to share?

[juice]

Pay it foward i love it

[Midnight Rose]

I'm not that kind, but my husband is.  He teaches me something about treating people well every single day.  Too bad I don't always listen.

One of my favorite random act stories: a few years back, he was taking me back to work after lunch, and we found ourselves behind a long line of people trying to get out of the parking lot of the center we were in.  Michael looked ahead and noticed that somebody was having trouble getting their car moving; they were stop-starting in a weird way, so he got out of our car and walked ahead to see what was wrong.

Then he walked back to our car, and told me the guy in that car had just bought a stick-shift car on the advice of the dealer in that lot, but didn't bother to ask him if he really knew how to drive, so he was having trouble getting anywhere.  Michael told me to go ahead and drive to work, and he'd stay with the guy, teach him how to drive a stick, and have the guy drive him to my job so he could pick up our car.  My jaw dropped; I couldn't believe Michael would take such a chance on a complete stranger.  But that's his way; and sure enough, not only did he teach the guy to drive, that guy became fast friends with Michael until he left Michigan a couple years ago.

[pauld22]

Awesome story Rose.  I guess I am just a bit too worreid about nut jobs nowadays to pull something like that off, but I am glad there are still good people out there.

When I am going through a drive through at a coffe shop (Dunkin' etc) and there is a police officer behind me I pay for the order.  Once the officer pulled me over down the road to thank me.

And of course in Buffalo your pretty much obligated to push people out when they are stuck in the snow - it's gonna happen to you too!!

And thanks to anyone that has pushed me out of a few drifts

[LuckyDog Poker Art]

Those are cool stories, Rose & Paul.  And I hate to break it to you rose, but you are that way too. I'm probably not the only person in this forum who has been treated kindly by you (I won't go into details but you certainly make a good impression.)

My car broke down in a pretty bad area of Los Angeles. I managed to make it to a gas station where the car promptly died again. I thought if I could only get a jump, I might make it home. I walked over to a car obscured by a gas pump. As soon as I cleared the pump, my heart began to race. This was a car filled with what appeared to be four gang-bangers, certainly not unusual for this part of town. Central casting couldn't have picked four better looking gang members to be there that night. But there wasn't any turning back without being blatantly obvious, so I tried to be as calm as possible and asked if they could jump my car (I had cables.)  The driver said, "Sure, no problem." He pulled his car around and, wouldn't you know it, it started to rain.  It didn't bother him at al. He took the time to put the cables on, tried adjusting the carburetor and, after about 10 minutes, got the car started and we got the car home without further issues.  I just couldn't believe how nice they all were.

[pathand]

I was driving home from work with my 23 year old son one afternoon and he asked if I would drop him off to get a haircut. I had nothing else going on, so we stopped at a strip center where they had a barber shop. I told him to take care of business and that I would wait for him in the parking lot. As I sat in my truck listening to some music, I noticed an older woman sitting in an old beat up Lincoln with Louisiana plates. We live in Houston and this was shortly after the Katrina disaster, so the La. plates were pretty common in our area. She was sitting with her door open and she was trying to organize a car load of paper, personal items, and God knows what else. I noticed that the car looked like a trashpile on the inside. And then I saw her make the sign of the Cross as if she was praying for help or whatever. I had a nice run of cards earlier in the week, so I had set aside a few hundred bucks to give to our church for the weekend service. I don't know if this lady was a Katrina refugee or not and it really didn't matter at the time. It was her sign of faith that led me to walk over to her and give her the money I had with me. She was speechless. I told her that faith and prayer can be very powerful at times. Coincidence? Maybe, but I believe we were brought together for a reason and no one can change my mind. I try to go out of my way to help people in need because people have helped me with acts of kindness my whole life. It feels really good inside when you know you've helped a stranger.               

[troysteelerfan]

My daughter is 10 and always notices any homeless or people who are down on their luck and have resorted to holding up help needed signs on the side of the road....this past year just after Christmas we were on our way to the store so she could spend some of her Christmas money from Grandma and Grandpa....there was a man with a backpack on the side of the road that lead into the shopping plaza...I immediately noticed the worried look on her face for this man...my daughter mentioned how cold it was and that he looked tired and was probably hungry....she looked at me and asked if it would be okay if she gave him her Christmas money because she didn't really need another webkinz stuffed animal...I of course told her it was her money and she could do what she wanted to do with it...as we pulled up beside the man she became shy and didn't want to roll down the window, but she managed to summon her courage and rolled the window down and gave the man her Christmas  money...I was so proud of her that I also gave the man some money that I had been stashing away in my poker fund....the man was grateful and I could tell that my daughter felt good to have done something like this....I was very proud of her random act of kindness...

[Wedge Rock]

Awesome story Rose.  I guess I am just a bit too worreid about nut jobs nowadays to pull something like that off, but I am glad there are still good people out there.

If you ever meet Michael, you'll understand why he wasn't worried...

[pauld22]

Awesome story Rose.  I guess I am just a bit too worreid about nut jobs nowadays to pull something like that off, but I am glad there are still good people out there.

If you ever meet Michael, you'll understand why he wasn't worried...

Ah, kind of figured from the bear nickname.  I can handle my own but I can't dodge bullets

(Click to show/hide)

baby

[johnbaker3]

Hi All:

In 1960 I was a fifth grader here in Houston Texas. My best friend, Ben Shofner, and I were on the safety patrol at Parker Elementary School.

Our job was to stop traffic and protect the cross-walk zones using long bamboo poles with yellow flags.

One dark March afternoon, a "blue norther" came through with little warning. We had on jackets and rain coats but the driving cold rain really stung as it hit our bare hands.

Along comes this old man in a pickup truck and stops next to our location....

"Don't you boys have any warm gloves? "

After a series of meek shrugs from us, he got out, dug around in his tool box, and handed each of us a pair of cotton gloves. Without another word, he drove off into the storm.

Whenever I see someone who can use a little help, I do my best to meet the standards set by that old man.

Be safe,

John B

[austin5string]

First off, I LOVE this thread.  I could read stories like this all day long.

Summertime, several years ago (translation: July, and about 108 degrees), I was coming out of the grocery store and a gal heading to her car in front of me had a flat tire.  I asked if I could help her out and she responded "No, that's okay, I'll just call my husband."  I told her that didn't make any sense - I was right there, and would be glad to change the tire for her.  Nothin' like changing a tire on a big-a5S Surburban, crawlin' around on 140 degree asphalt.  Pay it forward is right - what goes around, comes around.

Contrast this with even further back, I was just getting off my shift delivering pizzas, and my car had died.  I had the hood up, and my jumper cables out.  Guy comes out of the store next to the pizza place and was parked right next to me.  I asked if I could get a jump (again, hood up and cables in hand) and he responded "No, sorry, I don't have time."  What, this guy couldn't spare 60 seconds of his life?  I just don't get people.

And Rose, LDPA is right - you are that way, like it or not.

~A5S

[LuckyDog Poker Art]

Great stories, John and A5S!  Isn't it amazing how a simple act of kindness can make a huge impact and be so memorable? 

[plesner]

Sometime in 10th grade I got run over by a car. Had to use a pair of crutches for about a month. One of the first times I went to school again while still using the crutches, the bus I took to get to school was full and it was less than comfortable to try to keep your balance on one leg and two crutches. Fortunately this nice young woman offered me her seat and I gratefully accepted it.

About 6 months later, I was sitting in the same bus on my way home, the bus was again full, and the same woman now very much pregnant got on and looked around for a place to sit. I would have given her my seat anyway, but it did feel extra good to be able to pay back her kind gesture.

[Detroitdad]

after reading this thread..................I might have to try something like this.........being nice to people that is

[bubbajit]

Great thread wish I could contribute something memorable, but nothing comes to mind.

[austin5string]

Great thread wish I could contribute something memorable, but nothing comes to mind.

It's not exactly in the random act category, but you telling about all the help you were providing for your family members that had opened the restaurant was a nice one, I thought.

[Midnight Rose]

Great thread wish I could contribute something memorable, but nothing comes to mind.

It's not exactly in the random act category, but you telling about all the help you were providing for your family members that had opened the restaurant was a nice one, I thought.

Seconded.

[bubbajit]

thx   

[gravediger67]

I have a terrible memory so I can't come up with a specific story at this time, but I try to do little things every day. Something as little as holding a door open for some one can change their attitude for that day, and possibly make them want to do the same for some one else. Unfortunately a good portion of the time I run into people like in Austin5string's example of the guy who blew him off when he asked him to jump his car. It takes so little effort and time to be nicer to people in so many small ways, it is a shame that some people only care about themselves. Paying it forward is always the right thing to do, and you might just feel better about yourself afterward!

[bubbajit]

Here's a little thing very little.
My best friends father in law lives across the street from me.
I go out Sunday morning to get rid of the hugemungous pile of white stuff in the driveway.
Going along thinking I'll do mine then go do his, but he comes out and starts doing his driveway.
Shouldn't be doing it, but he doesnt listen people.  So stop mine and head over there, this is blower btw not shovel.
the reason he shouldn't is he blew both knees out a few years back, and has a heart issue. The knee thing is a gross story I will tell it later, if ya wanna hear it.
So get him all done, and watch his neighbors shovelling away. Feel bad so start on the end of there driveway, the plow stuff ya know.
I run out of gas, no biggie I got more the night b4. Head back over to finish what I started the say no worries we can handle the rest go finish up your driveway.
So I get mine finish blower put away. Mrs. bubba comes out she has been waiting for me to finish so we could go out.  Head to the car to leave and theres my friends dad and his neighbors wife helping his neighbor 2 doors over who is either away, or the husband is away. Hello not suppose to be shovelling buddy, but the man has a family like the couple in Roses story. So I ask him if he wants to use the blower he says I have not idea how to use it.  So turns out the guy I helped do the end of his driveway figured it out and I just told him to put it back in my garage when he's done.
Does that work, could you even follow it?

[Midnight Rose]

Does that work, could you even follow it?

You did a lot of blowing on Sunday?

[pathand]

Does that work, could you even follow it?

You did a lot of blowing on Sunday?

OMG!     

[LuckyDog Poker Art]

I followed it quite well, bubba.  Very kind of you to take care of your neighbors like that! They're lucky to have you around.  My MIL lives north of the Detroit area she has neighbors who plow her driveway when it snows.  They don't ask, they just do it because she is up there in age.  That kind of stuff just blows me away.

Oh, nice quote in your signature, pathand.  I love that movie.

[ChrisChip10]

Me and my family were treated well several years ago.  The kids were 3 and 4 in a new minivan and quite excited about it.  We were on our way to Estes park and the van quit on a major mountain about an hour from Estes.  We managed to roll into a parking lot.  The people there allowed us to use their phone, and AAA took a long time.  The place was 40 acres and a log cabin style "resort".  They offered us dinner with them which was buffet style spagetti that night.  Of course I dropped a couple plates of spagetti, which they insisted on cleaning up while I reloaded.  The kids had been quite paniced, stuck in the mountains with a broken new van.  Of course it was just vapor lock and it simply needed to cool off (and run better gas).  The hospitality they offered us really sooted their nerves. 

Now the twister.  I commented to my wife that being the only man in the place made me seem quite attractive as most of the people were looking at me.  Well it was a shelter for abused women and children, so perhaps I was not so attractive as I dreamed.  Met the owners and heard the story about the donated retreat/refuge in the rocky mountains.  This post isn't about their charity to us, but the owners that established such a place.  A true heartbreaker and unfortunately not so random.

[Detroitdad]

This isn't random..........

my son, my father, and I assisted the Knights of Columbus with their annual tootsie roll drive today. We stood outside of Krogers for a few hours handing out tootsie rolls and collecting donations for Handicapped Children.

I want to focus on the good, the more than 100's we collected in a few hours, but to many times jack holes would not even acknowledge our presence. Not even after a very friendly greeting. I even had one guy get about 2 inches from my face and start grilling me (a customer of the store) on why I was there. I answered his questions and he gave me a hmmmmmmmmph with raised eyebrows. I asked him.........him, do you think this is something shady I'm doing, he replies.........yes, something doesn't seem right here. I was wearing a bright yellow/orange vest that yelled out "KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS", the cannisters said "to help the Handicap", and he was accusing me of stealing money under this disguise.............I was pissed off. I'm not one to usually turn away from a confrontation, hell, most of the time I would relish in this opportunity, but since I was representing the church and the knights, I just said.........Peace be with you.........have a nice day............

sorry for the rant...........

B

[Midnight Rose]

sorry for the rant...........

Dude, you definitely need a hug.  It's 54 degress out right now; if I hop on my bike, I could be down there by 6:30...

[ChrisChip10]

KOC Fish Fry tonight!

[Detroitdad]

sorry for the rant...........

Dude, you definitely need a hug.  It's 54 degress out right now; if I hop on my bike, I could be down there by 6:30...

I know, I need to quit my bitching and whining, I haven't slept in about a week, I have been stressed and tense.........hopefully things will start getting better soon.

B

Thanks........

[Midnight Rose]

sorry for the rant...........

Dude, you definitely need a hug.  It's 54 degress out right now; if I hop on my bike, I could be down there by 6:30...

I know, I need to quit my bitching and whining, I haven't slept in about a week, I have been stressed and tense.........hopefully things will start getting better soon.

B

Thanks........

I wasn't being facetious; I really mean that you need a hug.  It'll be ok; you did the right thing.  She'll love you for it...eventually.

[Midnight Rose]

KOC Fish Fry tonight!

I love that I get to be Catholic for four weeks out of the year...

[Wedge Rock]

I love that I get to be Catholic for four weeks out of the year...

That's about the median time for the typical Catholic too...

[Midnight Rose]

I love that I get to be Catholic for four weeks out of the year...

That's about the median time for the typical Catholic too...

Dude, well played!

[LuckyDog Poker Art]

DD, it's cool you and your family spent some time raising money for charity.  That is amazing and you should be proud of that.  There will always be skeptics but, somehow, when you are doing the right thing, it's much easier to turn the other cheek.

Having lived in Chicago and LA for a billion years, it was easy almost necessary for my wife and I to fall into the big city, anonymous, self-preservation mode. With so many people, it's just easier to stay to yourself and move on.  Now that we live in Tulsa, a city my wife has affectionately dubbed "the land of happy people," we find our skepticism has diminished and realize more people than not are actually nice and trustworthy.  We still use our instincts and big city training to recognize the dubious ones but we are certainly more trusting now.  Yea! 

Random act of kindness for the day:  helped an elderly lady load up her cart full of mulch and unload it into her car. The big box store was busy (it was 74º today) and it was just easier for me to help her than have her wait in the sunshine.

[bubbajit]

DD hope things get better.

[LuckyDog Poker Art]

I did another fun thing today.  I went to the grocery store and had already started emptying my cart. A lady, who looks like she's a student and buying the classic student-type food, walks up behind with three items and sighs rather heavily since it will be a short wait and no other line seems to be moving any faster.  Since the cashier has already started ringing up, I apologize for not being able to let her go ahead. She was in a hurry but what's she gonna do.

The cashier scans my last item and I simply say, toss in those few things my tab.  Both people looked at me kinda funny and didn't know if I was serious or not.  The student just kept thanking me, smiling and and shaking her head in disbelief as I left.

[Midnight Rose]

Awesome, LD.  Doesn't it just make you feel good when you do something that makes people just stop and wonder for a minute?

[Midnight Rose]

I forgot, too, that LD's shopping experience reminds me of something that often happens at the Meijer grocery stores I usually go to.  First off, they only charge a penny for those electric ponies that kids ride (parents know what I'm talking about, right?), where most other grocery and department stores charge a quarter, so good on Meijer for taking the lead there. 

Anyway, I hate pennies with a passion, so I've always just placed any pennies I get, on the top of the pony machine for the next kid to get an unexpected treat.  The last time I went to that particular store, there were a bunch of pennies on top of that machine, which really made me smile.

[R-Ho]

I was wearing a bright yellow/orange vest that yelled out "KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS", the cannisters said "to help the Handicap", and he was accusing me of stealing money under this disguise.

It's sad, but he's more troubled than you or I.

R-Ho

[LuckyDog Poker Art]

Awesome thought with the pennies, Rose. There's nothing like "finding" money when you're a kid!

And you're right, there is something of a bonus in seeing the reactions.  They start off surprised, confused, sometimes skeptical and then always happy.  Gotta love that.

[Detroitdad]

On WED. night my lovely and talented wife and I went to church for the Seder Meal. This was an unique experience for me as I had never been. It was a touch long at 2.5 hrs, but hey what else was I going to be doing.

We took our seats (just sit wherever) and start talking amongst ourselves when Bob takes a seat next to me (I had position on him....lol). He is one of the couple of homeless guys that attends our church. He is a touch challenged and on Meds (I know this cuz he told me several times, and its apparent). Whenever the church has any dinners or what not their included (for free of course). The hostess who I know very well sat him next to us (me). I had never been to a Seder Meal before, but there was a lot to do other than just eating. We had booklets to follow (11 pages), different readings, songs, ect....I knew when he got seated next to me he would need a bunch of help with following the program.

I'm not much of a people person, I love my poker group, but that is about it. So immediately I was annoyed that my experience of the Seder Meal was going to be tainted.

Then, about two minutes in I thought of this Thread, this Random Acts of Kindness thing. I thought to my self, self..........Don't be a selfish ass and do whatever you have to to help Bob out. So I did, I got hit food for him, I poured his drinks for him (through out the dinner you drink 4 glasses of wine (or grape juice) at certain intervals. I kept helping him out with the program, what readings we were on ect.... Once dinner actually started (2 hrs into the event) I did my best to engage in conversation with him.

I'm sure I had a much more enjoyable time helping him out than sitting there annoyed for 2.5 hrs thinking that my experience was going to be ruined. I hope that I'm a little bit of a better person for it, and that I can continue this type of behaviour in the future.

When then attended Church last night as well (Holy THUR) and guess who was there, Bob. He came up to me, very excited to see me. It was a real nice feeling.

Thanks to LDPA for starting this thread, and thanks to the participants of this thread.

On a side note/Thread Jack,

I would like to say thanks for the kind words over the last week or so. I was pretty stressed and unfortunately I let it sink into a few of my post's. A couple of members know what's going on. Things are better now, I'm working on managing my stress a little better. So, I guess I apologize if I offended anyone, or was short with anyone.

b

[LuckyDog Poker Art]

Dude, that is simply one of the best stories in this thread.

You did a marvelous thing and the impact you had on Bob is touching. Well done.

[Detroitdad]

Dude, that is simply one of the best stories in this thread.

You did a marvelous thing and the impact you had on Bob is touching. Well done.

Thanks,

but what makes me disappionted in myself is that this is the exception to the rule with how I handle people, not the norm. I mean, I don't treat people like an ass or anything. I normally just don't care. Unless your in my circle (which movie, lol) then I don't really go out of the way.

I need to change things and start making "treating people with kindness, thoughtfulness" a norm instead of the exception.

B

I think I need to strive to be like a few other HPT'ers that have posted in this thread.

[austin5string]

Dude, that is simply one of the best stories in this thread.

You did a marvelous thing and the impact you had on Bob is touching. Well done.

Agreed - great story.. And for Bob - you have to figure he probably feels pretty outcast most of the time.  For someone to actually take time to help out and be a friend - man, you have no idea how great that probably made him feel.

And here's the thing.   You don't have to necessarily go "out of your way" for these sorts of things.  You don't have to seek them out, you just need to act when the opportunity presents itself.

You know a super small thing that can make a difference in your day and the days of others - smiling and saying hello.  If you're walkin' down the street and see someone, or in the hall at work, or whatever.  People tend to look away, look down, do nothing.  Just smile and say "Hi".  Do all people care?  Nah.  But what does it hurt?

[Detroitdad]

Dude, that is simply one of the best stories in this thread.

You did a marvelous thing and the impact you had on Bob is touching. Well done.

Agreed - great story.. And for Bob - you have to figure he probably feels pretty outcast most of the time.  For someone to actually take time to help out and be a friend - man, you have no idea how great that probably made him feel.

And here's the thing.   You don't have to necessarily go "out of your way" for these sorts of things.  You don't have to seek them out, you just need to act when the opportunity presents itself.

You know a super small thing that can make a difference in your day and the days of others - smiling and saying hello.  If you're walkin' down the street and see someone, or in the hall at work, or whatever.  People tend to look away, look down, do nothing.  Just smile and say "Hi".  Do all people care?  Nah.  But what does it hurt?

Your absolutely right. The thing is (its not an excuse) the type of job I have had since I was 18 has helped make me cynical and non trusting of people in general. The majority of the people I have dealt with for the last 20 years has led me to believe that most people are like that. That is obviously wrong.

I will take baby steps in an effort to change my attitude towards the general public. I'm normally a slow learner so I imagine i will take 3 steps forward and 2 back.........but as long as I'm progressing forward, what the hell

B

Breaks over, time to get back to work.

[Midnight Rose]

I never thought I'd use this image (seems to be readily available on Google images), but it so fits:

[Midnight Rose]

but what makes me disappionted in myself is that this is the exception to the rule with how I handle people, not the norm. I mean, I don't treat people like an ass or anything. I normally just don't care. Unless your in my circle (which movie, lol) then I don't really go out of the way.

There's no room for disappointment when you've taken a step in the right direction.  Just keep moving forward, you'll be ok.

[LuckyDog Poker Art]

Your absolutely right. The thing is (its not an excuse) the type of job I have had since I was 18 has helped make me cynical and non trusting of people in general.

I think destiny is calling.  It's time for a change.  lol 

[bubbajit]

Thanks Rose.
It's an ASM right? I could not see any brass in it.
That mold is very cool looking.

[Midnight Rose]

Thanks Rose.
It's an ASM right? I could not see any brass in it.
That mold is very cool looking.

I'm not one to forget a conversation about a chip, but I gotta admit, I don't know what you're talkin' bout here, Willis...

[bubbajit]

Thanks Rose.
It's an ASM right? I could not see any brass in it.
That mold is very cool looking.

I'm not one to forget a conversation about a chip, but I gotta admit, I don't know what you're talkin' bout here, Willis...

The rose paw chip ya sent me.
dg orange is that why theres no brass?