Random act of kindness ...

[robnplunder]

Any stories you want to share on random act of kindness?





( Me? Not much. At least, not much randomness to them ... I will make coffee at office although I may not drink it. I pick up others' trash. I rake golf practice bunker for others to use. I put coins in another parking meter as it was about to expire. I can think of other minor things I did but I am sure others have better stories to tell. )

 

[Turboslacker]

One fun experience I had recently was when I came to the end of a cashier line at a local drugstore and a nice elderly lady with a full cart offered me to go ahead of her. I took her up on it and moved along to quickly pay for the few items in my hand. I happen to over hear her mention to others about enjoying eating moon pies throughout her life as slipped a couple in her cart. When I finished paying I slapped a $5 bill on the counter and told her the moon pies are on me in turn for her kindness. She and the cashier were blown away.

Of course it made me feel good, and it wasn't a big deal. But I hope it provided her a happy story to share.

 

[Bestwifeever]

DS drove home alone from out of state college his junior year with 75 cents in his pocket and a credit card several years ago. He didn't realize he was merging onto a toll interstate and the toll booth operator told him to pull over to the office when the toll was more than his 75 cents. DS said no sooner had he pulled over than another guy pulled over too, handed him 20 bucks, and drove off.

 

[gindie]

A very inspiring website on this subject is ilikegiving.org. Several videos and stories.

 

[Rustward]

Back in the days when we were required to use real money on the tollway and the booths had attendants I would sometimes pay for me and the next car in line just to see the driver's reaction.

Edit to add: Hope I brightened somebody's day.

 

[Ally]

We had a lady who had to retire on disability here and it was a couple of years before she could get her SS disability started. She received a smaller disability payment from our company, but I knew she had a hard time paying her bills. For those couple of years, I sent her my holiday bonus anonymously in the mail. I didn't need it nearly as much as she did.

 

[robnplunder]

We had a lady who had to retire on disability here and it was a couple of years before she could get her SS disability started. She received a smaller disability payment from our company, but I knew she had a hard time paying her bills. For those couple of years, I sent her my holiday bonus anonymously in the mail. I didn't need it nearly as much as she did.

That's awesome!


One of my previous work places, someone bought pizza for my group (delivery person wasn't saying who paid for it) once every so often. It was a big mystery among us who the person was. There were many speculations. Eventually, we found out who it was. The person probably did have some fun watching us enjoy free pizza, and speculating who the benefactor was.

 

[Louis2]

I find myself doing a lot more of the "little things" for people now that I am ER. (Recently had my one year anniversary). I know it isn't true for everyone on this board, but for me the pace of life slowed up immediately and significantly. I smile at the lady at the DMV and get better service. I let a senior or a harried mom go ahead of me in line and I get a friendly chat while we wait. And I am WAY more patient with waiters and waitresses.

I haven't been able to extend the courtesy to telemarketers yet, but who knows!

 

[Gumby]

DS drove home alone from out of state college his junior year with 75 cents in his pocket and a credit card several years ago. He didn't realize he was merging onto a toll interstate and the toll booth operator told him to pull over to the office when the toll was more than his 75 cents. DS said no sooner had he pulled over than another guy pulled over too, handed him 20 bucks, and drove off.

Back in 1982, when the toll was $0.35 on the Garden State Parkway in NJ, my friend Tommy and I drove most of the Parkway, headed up to NY state. At each toll booth, we would pay for ourselves and the car behind us. It was interesting to see the reactions of the people behind us. Some of them sped up to catch us and see who had paid their toll. We had a lot of fun that day.

 

[FIREd]

We had a lady who had to retire on disability here and it was a couple of years before she could get her SS disability started. She received a smaller disability payment from our company, but I knew she had a hard time paying her bills. For those couple of years, I sent her my holiday bonus anonymously in the mail. I didn't need it nearly as much as she did.

That's a great idea, one that I have contemplated before. But how do you manage to stay anonymous? Do you send cash?

 

[easysurfer]

When in college, going roller skating (my first and only time). I would have had a mean fall going backwards when this woman (much better skater than me) caught me and prevented me from landing on my keister or worse.

Another time while walking home from w*rk all bundled up, this guy darts in front of me then disappears in this office building. About 5 seconds later these two cops come to me and ask..."Did you see this guy running?" I said, "Yeah..and told them where the guy went" The cops when "Thanks" then darted inside. Well, not really kindness I guess, but who knows, maybe I was a hero

 

[powerplay]

For several years I gave my secretary a Christmas card with a $100 in it anonymously. She had a multitude of financial and other issues in her life. I was able to continue this for a couple years after retirement through a co-worker sworn to secrecy. She never knew where it came from.

 

[obgyn65]

It feels awkward to talk about one's random acts of kindness. I guess my answer is every patient I see in the free clinics, every child I give free milk and vitamins to in developing countries, and every vacation time I spend abroad helping the under-served. If there is a god, that was its only plan for me.

Any stories you want to share on random act of kindness?

( Me? Not much. At least, not much randomness to them ... I will make coffee at office although I may not drink it. I pick up others' trash. I rake golf practice bunker for others to use. I put coins in another parking meter as it was about to expire. I can think of other minor things I did but I am sure others have better stories to tell. )

 

[W2R]

It feels awkward to talk about one's random acts of kindness.

Yes, it does, I agree. Different families and cultures treat such topics in different ways - - some of us just feel very reluctant to trumpet our own charitable acts and seek public approval for them, because of our upbringing.

 

[Khan]

I have paid for car repairs and dental work and miscellaneous emergencies for various people; I send large boxes of high quality chocolates to a few.

 

[robnplunder]

Yes, it does, I agree. Different families and cultures treat such topics in different ways - - some of us just feel very reluctant to trumpet our own charitable acts and seek public approval for them, because of our upbringing.

How about sharing what you have seen or heard? It's good to hear about these things (or learn to do similar). I started the thread after couple of incidents at work that caused me to lose a bit of faith in humanity.

 

[W2R]

How about sharing what you have seen or heard? It's good to hear about these things (or learn to do similar). I started the thread after couple of incidents at work that caused me to lose a bit of faith in humanity.

OK! I have an idea. I'll bet the random acts of kindness described in this Huffington Post article will lift your spirits.

 

[braumeister]

I send large boxes of high quality chocolates to a few.

Be careful; your PM mailbox is about to be flooded with the postal addresses of most of us here!

 

[Ally]

That's a great idea, one that I have contemplated before. But how do you manage to stay anonymous? Do you send cash?

I sent her a Visa Gift card. Keep in mind I work in a nonprofit, so the bonuses were on the$400-500 range, not thousands.

 

[DAYDREAMER]

Is this considered a random act of kindness? I gave a good running car to a friend who's car got totaled. He had a young family and couldn't afford a replacement. Selling cars is a hassle, so he did me a favor taking the car. He was floored that anybody would give a car away.

He passed the good act forward by giving that car to somebody else in same situation 4 years later when he was able to save enough for a newer car.

 

[check6]

And I am WAY more patient with waiters and waitresses.

When they show up at my table and introduce themselves with their name, I do the same introducing my wife and myself.

 

[robnplunder]

Is this considered a random act of kindness? I gave a good running car to a friend who's car got totaled. He had a young family and couldn't afford a replacement. Selling cars is a hassle, so he did me a favor taking the car. He was floored that anybody would give a car away.

He passed the good act forward by giving that car to somebody else in same situation 4 years later when he was able to save enough for a newer car.

Yeah, that kind of deed can have a chain reaction. When I read some of the posts here, I feel like doing similar things. It can be contagious.

 

[obgyn65]

Agreed. This is why I would wait before passing judgement on those who seem to be "trumpeting", when all they do is sharing their FIRE experience and answering questions posed by other posters. the Internet is a big place, gathering many people with different cultures, upbringing, and backgrounds.

Yes, it does, I agree. Different families and cultures treat such topics in different ways - - some of us just feel very reluctant to trumpet our own charitable acts and seek public approval for them, because of our upbringing.

 

[MRG]

I was the recipient of one. Probably 10 years ago, must have been a vacation day, as it was a work day, but I was dressed in ragged jeans and tee shirt. Passing through the town where Rooster Cogburn says he lost his eye. It's a real place, there were civil wars battles there.

Small town, some that lived there were middle class, some were quite poor. There's a small local grocery store. DW called my cell to remind me to pick up a can of tomato soup for a recepie. I'm in line behind a woman and her young daughter. I quietly took the call and spoke very softly, 'yes honey, I'm buying the can of soup for dinner'. The woman overhears, motions to the daughter, daughter hands me $5.00 and says 'let us buy your dinner!'.

I tried to protest, to no avail. I walked to their car, trying to return the money. She responded 'thank you, someday when you can, do that for someone else who needs it'.

I didn't have the heart to tell her we were FI. Yes that $5.00 has long ago been passed on to someone that needed it. She made my day!
MRG

 

[tmm99]

When they show up at my table and introduce themselves with their name, I do the same introducing my wife and myself.

I LOVE THAT!! Why didn't I ever think of that!!