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30 Brilliant Stories About The Most Memorable Moments People Ever Had With Complete Strangers
Interview
For better or for worse, life is full of unexpected situations and surprises, both enjoyable and frightening. But in our experience, nothing quite beats those small moments of connection and compassion that can happen between complete strangers, like a bolt from the blue. Whether by coincidence or a stroke of fate, you end up getting to know each other on an incredibly deep level.
If you’re lucky, you become fast friends. Other times, however, you never meet that person again, but your experience stays with you for years. Coventry-based award-winning designer and illustrator Dave Gray, aka redditor u/joeChump, urged people to share the most memorable moments they’ve ever had with strangers in a viral thread. We’ve collected some of the most wholesome stories to share with you, and, hopefully, some of these might even restore your faith in humanity.
Bored Panda got in touch with illustrator Dave for a chat about his viral thread, and he shared his thoughts on unexpected altruism, as well as what we can all do to be kinder every day. “I think random acts of kindness break through mistrust and negativity and help us realize that humanity is fundamentally good,” he said. Read on for the full interview.
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#1
The day my dad died I was holding it together pretty well. Late that night I went to Target to have a moment to just zone out, and buy a few groceries.
As I got to the checkstand with my arm full of stuff I dropped a container of sour cream and it exploded everywhere. I completely lost control of myself and started to cry. The ugly cry. I was instantly surrounded by a group of women who just took charge of the whole situation. They helped me get everything paid for, cleaned up, and one lady even got a new sour cream.
No words were spoken, but their compassion and take charge attitude has stayed with me since.
Take me to dinner first 1 year ago (edited)
God these are the kind of moments that bring my hope in humanity back, the lack of words just makes everything even better
Illustrator Dave, whose question about strangers went viral half a decade ago, was kind enough to share his take on everyday kindness and why some strangers are so altruistic. He told Bored Panda that this was one of his favorite threads ever and had some really touching stories. “It was probably one of the first things I did on Reddit that got to the front page and had an impact. I especially liked that it was positive and hopeful.”
The author of the thread opened up to us that he’s always been someone who will talk to anyone. “Growing up in the North West of the UK and now living in the Midlands, people are generally very friendly and trustworthy. Whilst we wouldn’t maybe encourage our children to talk to complete strangers, as an adult I feel perfectly safe doing so,” he said.
Dave revealed that what inspired his r/AskReddit question in the first place were the interactions that he’d had with strangers. He said that they were small things that, nonetheless, stayed with him. One such case involved someone giving him some change for a parking meter. The illustrator, in turn, paid the kindness forward by pumping up the car tire for someone else who was stranded by the side of the road and taking them to get the vehicle fixed.
#2
I was about 10 years old and I had a pair of HEELYS and they were the coolest f*****g thing on the earth. I would roll all over on those things and thought I was hot s**t.
We were in China, spending a few weeks in Beijing. I was rolling around in Tiananmen Square, hit a crack and lost one of the wheels. I looked around for about an hour, but to no avail. I was probably visibly bummed, as my Heelys, the things that made me hot s**t, were now ineffective and basically ruined. The next morning, I was walking through the square on the way to meet my friends, and an older gentleman ran up to me and stopped me- he had found my wheel. He said that he had seen me rolling around and saw me looking for the wheel after I fell. He saw that I gave up, and stuck around for another hour to keep looking after I left. He came there the next morning with no expectation that I'd pass through, but wanted to be there just in case. I'm not sure who was happier, me that I got my wheel back or him because he didn't think he'd see me in literally the world's busiest square. I said thank you and...that was about it. We both had places to be and that was that.
#3
I was on an eastbound train from Colorado two days before Christmas. There was some kind of incident in another car around 11:00 that night - a dude got wasted and started threatening other passengers - and we had to make a stop so that the local police could come and collect him.
After the delay, the conductor came over the speakers and announced that if anyone was feeling upset or shaken by the incident one of the passengers had offered to play his guitar in the snack car and anyone who was awake was welcome to come down and join in for a singalong. I'm always down for weird train activities so I decided to grab my harmonica from my bag and head down.
There were about fifteen of us in the car, ranging in age from 16 to mid-70s and from all over the country. We sang every song we could think of that even kind of referenced a train - we were somewhere in rural Nebraska at that point and nobody had cell service to look up lyrics, so at times I was pretty sure that we were making up more of the words than we actually remembered. The conductor came through after a while and offered to play a few songs, so the guy with the guitar handed it off and pulled out a mandolin, and my harmonica got passed around the group while one guy drummed along on his backpack.
After a while the conductor got up and left, then came back with a copy of _The Polar Express_. He read it out loud to our absolutely captivated group of mostly adult travelers while the snow flew all around us in the night, and I swear that for a few minutes our trip felt every bit as magical as the visit to Santa Claus in the story
Sometime well after the snack car was supposed to have been vacated for the night, we capped things off with the most ridiculously earnest rendition of Don't Stop Believing that has ever been performed and went our separate ways. I never saw anyone from our little makeshift band again, but I'll always remember that weird, wonderful late-night celebration of Journey and the magic of winter travel that came about because some guy was a jackass on a train.
The OP pointed out that his own experiences might not have been dramatic as some of those shared in his thread, however, the entire topic made him realize that humankind is fundamentally good. “Whilst there are so many fractures and divisions, mistrust and fear in society and on the news, on a basic level, people are good and capable of great kindness to people they don't even know,” he said.
Bored Panda was interested to get Dave’s take on why some people are so kind (even to complete strangers) while others are far more egocentric.
“When we watch the TV, the world seems like a terrifying place but when we look out of the window or walk down the street, it's hopefully not, really. I think deep down we know this, but sometimes we need reminding of it,” the illustrator noted.
He pointed out that the way he phrased his question could have led to people sharing negative stories because something that’s memorable isn’t necessarily good. However, that wasn’t the case. The responses were overwhelmingly positive.
#4
When I was fourteen, I was trapped in the rubble of an earthquake. I spent six hours crawling towards a man whose face I never had the opportunity to see... he was a citizen who didn't leave his name with anyone and never came forward, after the fact. It has always bothered me that I will likely never find out who he was or tell him how much comfort his voice gave me during those horrible hours. When I saw pictures of the space I ended up in, much later, I couldn't (and can't) understand how he was able to stand where he stood for six hours without injuring himself or suffering some sort of emotional trauma himself. He's my hero.
#5
I was on a long late night bus ride. It was express so it made very few stops. The bus had maybe 10 people on it in total. Half way through the trip it made a stop at a small town station so people could grab a snack or use a public restroom and maybe stretch their legs.
I went up to the counter to buy what at that point was my dinner even though it was after 10 pm and when the cashier rang it up I passed a $50 bill to her and she told me that she couldn't make change. Defeated I went back to my seat on the bus.
As everyone piled on and the bus drove away I lovely middle aged lady walked up from her seat near the back and politely asked if I minded if she sat with me. I told her she was more than welcome. She sits and proceeds to unpack a small lunch bag.
She then split the entirety of her meal with me. She said she had been waiting for the washroom to clear out and had overheard what happened. She said: "I've gone hungry in my life and it sucks. I wouldn't wish it on anyone, so you can share with me."
When we were done I jokingly asked if she could break a $50 and we had a good laugh. She stuck with me for the remainder of the trip and was a very interesting lady besides being incredibly generous.
I hope she is well.
#6
My boyfriend and I were on a road trip in the Deep South, we had a tent and could not find a camping park that would take us. We ended up driving around looking for a rural place to crash and along the way we saw a family having dinner on their outdoor patio. We pulled over and asked where the closest park was and the home owner said “oh what the hell, camp on our front yard!” We ended up spending the night, having a campfire and chatting about life and love. I’ll never forget that night and the hospitality of the south.
“I think when we are young, the world is full of wonder and seems like such a benevolent, bright, and good place. As we get older, we can easily replace that with anxiety and cynicism,” illustrator Dave shared. However, random acts of kindness can break through all of that mistrust and negativity.
“Most people, if faced with someone in trouble or need, would try to help them. I have kids and I would like to think that someone would help them if they needed it just as I would hopefully help a stranger,” he said.
Meanwhile, Dave shared a few tips on how each and every single one of us can spread a little bit of kindness in our day-to-day lives. “Social media has its dark sides but actually there are many communities and apps that are designed to promote sharing of food and items and helping others. Giving things away and being less precious about money and possessions is a great start, especially if we don't really need them,” he suggested.
#7
My son was in a pretty serious accident. I was a wreck in the icu waiting room.
A little girl maybe about 9 or 10 years old was with her family, saying goodbye to her great grandmother .
She waltzed right up to me and said , " sir, why are you crying ? "
I explained my son was very sick. She handed me a miniature puppy doll and told me it was lucky and my son would get better.
She was.right, he did and I still keep that little puppy on my dresser and think of that sweet child.
#8
I was a horticulture student on a botanical tour of Europe in 1979. I am at a flower market in Munich and see a plant I don't recognize. The lady working it doesn't speak English; I don't know any German. I see a plant I do know; touch the leaf and say the Latin name for it. She nods and smiles. I name another plant I know. Her smile gets bigger. I point at the unknown plant and look at her with an expression that I hope says, "You're turn." She tells me the Latin name. We don't speak each others language but we can communicate in a language that has been dead for over a thousand years. Cool.
#9
NYC bar: I was on a first date and there was an old guy at the bar — looked like an old fisherman from a novel — and he was convinced my date and I were already married. He went on and on about it. We said we weren’t married and he told us we were meant to be together and would be married a long time. He talked with us for a good 15 minutes about this.
My date and I did get married about a year later and have been together almost 25 years now.
“Personally, I always drive around with a pump and some basic tools to help people if they get stuck with a flat tire. Most of the time you can pump the tire up enough for them to get to a garage without having to change it. If someone is short of change at the counter then pay the rest for them. Take a bit of time to listen to people or just offer a few kind words. When someone is stranded, stuck, or in a bad place, the smallest acts of kindness can have a huge impact,” Dave told Bored Panda. You can check out some of the illustrator’s awesome art on Twitter and Instagram.
Kindness. Compassion. Altruism. Whatever you call it, human beings are social animals who are hard-wired to care about others. Our brains reward us when we help someone out, give them gifts, and participate in communal events. So, in a very real way, we’re rewarded for setting our own interests aside for the sake of ‘the group’ (however big or small it might be).
We need strong social connections not only to thrive but also to survive. The health risks of loneliness are very dangerous. The National Institute on Aging warns that prolonged isolation is equivalent to smoking 15 cigarettes a day and can shorten someone’s lifespan by a whopping 15 years. What’s more, the University of New Hampshire notes that socially isolated and lonely individuals have greatly increased risks of stroke, heart disease, and mental disorders.
#10
I have been waiting for a question like this.
This was about two years ago, when I was in university. I was having some gas pains, so I went to use the bathroom. I was the only one in there, but someone came in shortly after, so I decided to wait until she was done. She apparently was in the same situation as me, so we were both just sitting in silence waiting for the other to leave, occasionally letting out tiny toots.
Finally, she says, "can we both just fart?" I laugh and say "yes please!" And for about a minute after, both of us are simultaneously laughing and farting. Laughing because we're farting, and farting because we're laughing.
We finished at about the same time and said "hello" as we washed our hands. I never saw her again. I still giggle every time I think of it.
Edit: Wow, my first gold is about farting. Thanks, stranger!
#11
I've told this story before, but people likenit so I will share again:
When I was a kid we didn't have a lot of money, so we often shopped at thrift stores. What I loved about that was that you could get 10 books for a dollar, so I would plant myself in front of the book section and make piles of which one I wanted to get and then decided after I'd gone through them all.
One day an older lady saw me sitting with my piles and asked if I liked to read. I told her I did and showed her a few of the books I found that I liked. She smiled and then pulled a dollar out of her purse, handed it to me and said, "Promise me that you'll keep reading." I was so happy and immediately stood up and said that I would. She smiled and walked away and I went back to my piles able to pick out an extra 10 books to take home.
It was just a small act of kindness for her, but for me having a random stranger encourage my love of reading and making me promise to never stop definitely had a lot to do with my continued love of reading. This was over 20 years or so ago, but I still think of her whenever I buy a new book.
#12
It was the night before Christmas Eve, about 8:30 pm. My mom was trying to sell our place, we’d moved a few blocks away in with my new step dad. The driveway needed to be clear and there was about a foot and a half of snow to shovel. I was still pretty young and it was going to be a big job.
I trudged over there with my shovel, and just started the first row, when a random guy in a snowplow turned in and cleared the whole driveway in two minutes easy. He was wearing the red plaid jacket and toque combo - classic Canadian look.
I was worried as we hadn’t hired a snow removal guy, but he just waved and said Merry Christmas and drove off. Thanks snowplow Guy, you taught me a thing or two about Xmas spirit.
However, the reality of life isn’t all sunshine and rainbows. People can and do hurt each other, whether intentionally or not. It’s hard to be kind to others when someone’s exhausted, burned out, and downtrodden. It’s even harder to find the drive to help someone who’s an utter stranger, not someone who’s a friend, family member, or coworker. But if you manage to stay compassionate when you’re feeling down, and recognize that you might have a lot in common even with strangers, then you’ve won a massive victory.
Like most other behaviors, being kind is a skill that we can learn and develop until it becomes a habit. And the key to any habit is consistency. Let’s say that you’ve done some in-depth introspection and realized that you’ve been far too egocentric these past few years. Maybe you've been acting a tad too entitled. Maybe you've focused on your career at the expense of, well, absolutely everything else. You then decide that you want to make a change: give back to the community, be ‘a better person,’ and maybe expand your social circle.
#13
Ill share the cliffnotes version since it sounds so unreal. Years ago I walked to a bridge with intention ok killing myself by jumping off. Met a guy there who wouldnt stop hovering around me, eventually he approaches me and tells me that "I have bad spirits around me" and that i should keep my head up and not give in to them. He thrn askes if he can smudge me.
I didnt know what that was but agreed anyway. He pulls out sage a lighter and a shell from his backpack and proceeds to bless me right there. As soon as he finishes a bunch of birds (seagulls, crows and pigeons.) All come flying over and fly in circles above us. He said that they were telling me my life was about to turn around and then he said goodbyr and left.
My life did change that day, big time. And when my mind occasionaly creeps back to dark places, I think of him and it pulls me back.
Edit: Wow, thanks for all the really sweet replies, I wasnt expecting this story to be recieved so well. Ive always been reluctant to share it outside of the handful of irl friends that I have because I would probably think it sounded like b******t if someone told me it to me. Glad I took the chance. and thank you for the gold kind stranger, ill be sure to pay it forward.
#14
When I was studying abroad in Lithuania I volunteered at a soup kitchen and every now and again there would be an older lady helping out who dropped off supplies. We would smile at each other and say hello even through the language barrier.
Well one night I went to Easter mass in the town I was volunteering in and it was warmer during the day so I didn’t think about bringing a heavier jacket once it got dark, not to mention the church was this old massive building. So I’m sitting through mass and I’m getting colder and start shivering pretty noticeably, when all of a sudden I feel someone drape a scarf over my shoulders. I turn around and it’s the lady who would drop off supplies at the soup kitchen! Once mass was over I tried to return the scarf but she refused to take it back. I did my best to extend my gratitude through the language barrier but I’m sure she knew.
It was the most beautiful and kindest thing that has ever happened to me. The was the last time I saw her and I will never forget her kindness towards me. It still tears me up thinking about it.
#15
I'm pretty sure I told this before, but I enjoy it, so here it goes. I was playing on my Nintendo DS in the subway when I caught a random connection. I looked up to see if I could spot the other person with a DS, and wound up locking eyes with this *incredibly intense* little boy who was seated a few benches away from me.
"DO YOU HAVE POKEMON," he asked, and as it turned out, I did in fact have Pokemon. With that, our fate was sealed. There's this thing in the Pokemon games where, if you meet the gaze of another trainer on your journey, then you must do battle. I had just experienced this in real life.
He *destroyed* me. All level 100s. Felt like I was an extra in the damn anime doing battle with the protagonist.
The best way to develop the habit of being kind to others is to start off with small steps that will get you out of your comfort zone. Start off by, say, smiling at someone you meet on the street or giving out a few compliments each day. Become more aware of your surroundings: try to spot if someone needs a bit of help carrying their groceries, walking across a busy intersection, or getting a pram out of the bus. Pick up a piece of litter and throw it out in the bin. Pay for someone else’s coffee and croissant.
Then, once you’ve gotten the hang of it, consider volunteering your time and energy for a cause you really believe in, whether it’s at your local homeless or animal shelter, or tidying up your neighborhood on the weekends. Put yourself in situations where you can actively help strangers, and you might inspire them to be just as kind to others in turn.
#16
I'd locked myself out of my flat once when I was taking out the rubbish. It would have been close to midnight. Female, early twenties, and just out of hospital. I had no way to get in and no money, phone, or nearby friends. I don't remember this boy arriving or explaining myself to him, but he sat with me until morning the whole night long beneath my block. He had limited English so we barely spoke, and he shared a tin of pineapple with me he had in his bag. He was calm, empty of ill intent, quiet but watchful. Friendly, a big, open smile. When the sun came up, he walked on. I'll never forget him, or how kind he was to do that. Some people are so in tune with the world, they protect it. I hope he was ok too.
#17
I was in the US Navy at the time and we pulled into port in Norway. We had a couple days to explore and I went to the closest city, Bergen. While in the main square area of town just down the road from their fish market there was a small boy, maybe 3 years old, and his father. The boy had a large red balloon but it was windy and it got away from him. His father made a grab for it and missed but obviously couldn't run after it and leave his kid. It was blowing generally in my direction and I made a quick dash for it and managed to catch it out of the air before it blew away. I then crouched down and held it out for the boy. He looked like he was about to start crying but immediately brightened up with the kind happiness only a child can have. He took the balloon and his father just gave me a small smile and a nod. I returned the smile and nod and we went on our way. This moment always sticks out to me.
Edit: Thanks for the Gold friend.
Lil Miss Hobbit 1 year ago
And that's what makes humans worth fighting for, no matter how much damage we do.
#18
When I was at Disneyland a few years ago, a woman approached me out of the blue in the middle of Main St. and asked if I'd like to dance. I obliged her, and we spent the next few minutes chatting while her friends filmed us dancing.
It turns out it was her birthday and she was traversing the park on a birthday scavenger hunt, and one of the items on the list was to dance with a stranger. I wished her a happy birthday, we said our goodbyes, and went our separate ways.
I never even got her name, but it still makes me smile when I think about it.
Take me to dinner first 1 year ago
Isn't it crazy to think about how many people are probably telling stories about us that we won't ever know
#19
I've shared this on Reddit before. The day I found out my grandmother had a stroke and would never walk or talk again, I was away at college. I finally broke down in a bathroom. A girl came in and asked if I needed a hug. I was crying so hard that I really didn't get a look at her face. I cried on her shoulder for about 10 minutes and then had to pull myself together and leave for class. I never explained myself and she never asked. I never recognized or spoke to her again. I wonder if she sometimes saw me on campus and wondered what was up and if I was okay.
Lil Miss Hobbit 1 year ago
Awww, that is the best! Sometimes I wonder if these people are actually angels.
#20
So about 11 years ago I visited india. I went to a Sikh temple and sat down to enjoy langer (free food served by sikhs to anyone who walks in). I was served food by this volunteer and we started chatting after lunch and became buddies. So fast forward I am visiting another Sikh temple in the Himalayas and in the kitchen there was only one volunteer when a large bus filled with people pulled in. I went up to the guy and asked if he needed help and he gladly accepted it. So I start serving food to people sitting in the lines and guess who I see sitting down? My buddy from the first Sikh temple. It was great seeing him and we said our hellos..
#21
I had about a 2 hour drive from Columbus to the Cleveland area. I tend to drive on the faster side, and therefore pass a lot of people. I noticed about 20 minutes into the drive that the car behind me was still the same one that got onto the highway right behind me. We ended up driving the entire 2 hours right next to each other or in front of/behind each other. We created space in lanes to help the other pass the slower cars and made sure the other wouldn’t fall behind. As I was getting off the highway, he honked his horn, gave me a big smile, and waved. It has been my favorite driving experience so far,
#22
Few years back my wife and I visited Italica, a roman ruined city a few miles from Seville. The ruins are glorious and we had them to ourselves, so when as we emerged from the gladiator gate in the amphitheater I stalked out into the sunlight, threw out my arms and roared "ARE YOU NOT ENTERTAINED?" It rang off the old seats in a satisfying manner.
Turns out we weren't alone. I spun to find a Japanese tourist staring at me in wonder, who then grinned nervously, snapped a picture, and gave me a thumbs up.
My wife: "You're an idiot."
Minty mosasaurus 1 year ago
Aww she probably tells tales about the shouting American she encountered in Italy
#23
I was 13 and waiting for a taxi. It was raining and I had no umbrella, so I got soaked. This guy next to me sheltered me from the rain with his umbrella. We talked while waiting for the taxi and he was so easy and fun to talk to! (Note: I was a shy kid with few friends so this was a unique event). After about 15 minutes another guy came up on his scooter. My guy told him that I was a friend of his and if he could drop me to my destination. So yeah, I just climbed on this stranger's scooter and took the lift home. Perhaps that was dumb looking back on it... Anyway I still think of this guy and the kindness he showed me to this day even though I don't even know his name or remember his face :(
Arunika R. 1 year ago
That's so sweet. I was so afraid because this could have gone in a very different and unpleasant direction
#24
I met a well dressed older gentleman at a train station in london, he struck up a conversation about the departures board, and being a 20yr old woman I was hesitant to talk back, but I like chatting to people and decided to keep the convo going.
He ended up being extremely easy to talk to, I ended up telling him I was waiting for a train to take me to the airport so I could see my boyfriend in Hong Kong whom I hadn’t seen for months, and he ended up telling me all about his life and his amazing family, and just be all round charming.
He was in London for the day to pick up a passport so he could whisk his wife away on holiday, and he just made me smile the way he was so smitten with her.
He ended up leaving after about half an hour, and when he left he took my hand and kissed it, telling me it’s so beautiful to see a young woman in love.
I never caught his name, but I’ll always remember him
#25
I was out at a beach with my family for a bonfire. Only problem was that we got there too late and there were no more open pits.
We sat about on the sand for about an hour until a man came up to us telling us that he had ran out of logs. Seeing as we had no pit and that they were freezing without a fire, we took him up on his offer and joined his family around their pit. We sat until midnight talking about music from the 70’s and talking about our lives. Coolest bunch of people I’ve met in a while.
#26
Years ago, I was at the bus stop super early one morning. It was really cold as well.
Anyway, there was a guy that I used to see every time I would get the 7am bus - looked like a builder, he always got off near one of the large building sites by the university. We were on "nodding terms"
One morning, there was a fireball/disintegrating meteor. We both saw it, he turned to me and said with a super serious face "you know our souls are forever linked now". We went back to nodding terms, and I never saw him after I quit early morning classes
I guess because I remember it, he was kinda right and f****r is still trolling me.
#27
While out for a long walk to take some photos in Wellington, New Zealand, I stop to drink some water, and get chatting with a guy sitting on the park bench.
He was homeless in that he didn't have a permanent residence, but he considered himself more of a nomad, touring around the country, and had made his way from the UK to New Zealand over the course of a few years.
He went on about how he used to work in London, got sick of his corporate job, and went travelling with the remainder of his savings, never looking back. He's eventually burnt his savings, and was now happily stranded in New Zealand.
I still remember his intials were D.G., and he asked if I wanted to take a photo of him. I'd taken hundreds of photos of landscapes, animals, and people, [but his one was my favourite from the day.](https://500px.com/photo/2846284/d-g-by-rick-mczany)
#28
I was leaving the gym and walked down a long hallway, and didn't remember having any money on me.
As soon as I stepped outside, I heard a coin drop, and looked down and $2 seemed to have fallen from somewhere on me. It was strange because I didn't have any money on me, and it would have fallen off of me inside while walking, I thought. It rolls and I pick it up. I was confused because I don't know where the $2 came from.
I look up and there's a homeless man in a wheel chair playing harmonica who I otherwise would have passed by. I gave the $2 to him. He said thank you, I said no problem. I began to walk away and he said 'Good, and you?'. I played along and said, 'oh, good! Where did you learn to play harmonica?' He proceeded to tell me that he used to play all sorts of instruments until he had his stroke, and showed me that one of his arms didn't work anymore.
He was a nice guy, and it made my day a bit better. It was a nice and humbling moment.
Mike Ward 1 year ago
People always say "you shouldn't give money to the homeless because they only spend it on alcohol". Look, if I'm sleeping in a doorway under constant threat then you better believe I wanna be drunk. I actively give to the homeless, if it was legal I'd just give them a bottle of vodka.
#29
was on the bus home and this girl sitting next to me was making paper cranes. before i got off the bus she stopped me and gave me the crane she was working on and smiled at me. i still have it and i think about it a lot
EDIT: oh gosh i didnt expect everyone to be waiting on me to open up the crane to see if theres a number inside! i carefully unfolded it and i didnt see a number unfortunately :( woulda made for a cute story though!
SkekVi 1 year ago
There was a man who came into the county behavioural health services office all the time that would pass out tiny paper cranes from a big gulp cup. once i was in there waiting and he came in, and i figured he only gave them to the desk ladies, bc they knew him and all. nope, he came over to me and tipped the cup, and told me to take some. i was on the street at the time and the small kindness and beauty of my fellows was everything that kept me going, tbh.
#30
A stranger gave me 300 dollars , no strings attached.
I met him and his wife in Oklahoma City, while on a road trip across country alone. I was seated near them at a restaurant bar.
didn't ask for any money and don't even know his name, but he rules
What do you think ?
Ranger Kanootsen 1 year ago
When I was 18 years old, I was standing at the edge of a lake with bricks in my pockets. As I was about to walk in, a man came up to me who must've seen, and asked for my bricks to build his sculpture. I gave them to him. He walked away, and I saw him place them on the ground. There was no sculpture there. He said that "there are so many beautiful things to be built with bricks, and why sink them when you can make them rise? why sink yourself when you can rise?". I'll never forget. I choose to rise.
duckie 1 year ago
In 2001 I lived in Berlin. At the time I always re-read the Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy books. One night in May 2001, I was waiting for a late night subway train, sitting on the bench next to me was a young guy who looked asleep. I pulled out "So long and thanks for all the fish" and started reading. Suddenly, the guy came to life, rummaged in his pockets and showed me something: he was carrying the same book, different edition. We chatted about Douglas Adams for the two stops on the train, then went our separate ways. Days later I learned that Douglas Adams had died. Not sure if the encounter was the 11th or not, but close. Felt a bit magic.
Take me to dinner first 1 year ago
No freaking idea why someone would downvote this, so I upvoted you (even though I would upvote anyway), but honestly, AMAZING TASTE! Never a book (books in this case) made me laugh out loud more than this series. And I do find kinda magic how similar tastes make us humans bond... I once complimented a girl's tshirt (it was a singer's merch) and we spent the entire bus ride talking as if we were best friends, never saw her again
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Robin DJW 1 year ago
Hospital where I (22F) worked, late night. Got into an elevator. A strange guy (~35) was already in the car.. I said some phrase like "lab specimen." He replied with a random word. I nodded and asked some random question. He replied with a nonsense phrase. We were emulating a conversation in code, like some spies in a movie. Continued until one of us got off the elevator. It was completely unexpected and unexplainable improv. I'll never forget how fun it was. It was one of those 60-second encounters that can still make you smile 50 years later.
Distinguished Gentleman 1 year ago
he was a spy thinking you were his contact
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René Sauer 1 year ago
I have two funny ones: The first was when I was learning to drive. The car I was driving was clearly marked as a driving school vehicle. I pull up to a traffic light in the straight lane, while another guy pulls beside me in the left turn lane. He looks over and notices the car, and calls over (We both had the windows down): " Learning to drive, eh?" I nod: " Yeah." Him: " Nervous?" Me: " A bit." Him: " You got that, good luck!" and with a thumbs up he turns, while we continue straight. The other was not much off an interaction, but still funny: I was leaning on a railing, immersed in my phone, when I noticed movement around my waist: A large German Shepherd was sniffing me. before I could pet him, or react in any way at all, the owner had already pulled him away on continued on his way while saying to his dog: " No, you are not allowed to pee on people." I was left staring after him in confusion.
Iris Gray 1 year ago
I had been doing my holiday shopping at a shopping centre that was about a 45-minute bus ride from my home. Just as I got on the bus to go home, it started to snow. In my town, everything shuts down when it starts to snow. The bus was crawling along very slowly, and people started to get restless and annoyed at the driver, when one passenger got out his guitar and started playing Christmas carols. We had a sing-along on the entire bus ride back to town. Some people even stayed on the bus past their regular stops just to finish the song they were singing.
Emotionally unstable elephant 1 year ago
Flight got delayed by 5 hours. Started talking to the people opposite to pass the time. Ended up in a short,yet strong friendship where we basically talked about anything and everything. When we got food vouchers,one of them offered to shout us drinks. After we finally landed,we walked into the terminal together but they went in a different direction once we were inside. Never saw them again. There was just something so nice about banding together,even if for a short time.
Rosie 1 year ago
A frew years ago I was loading groceries in the trunk of my minivan, just outside a supermarket. A car pulls over next to me & a little girl (about 10yo?) comes out & starts helping me. Her mom is standing next to her & explains to me the kid had seen me as they drove by & insisted mom stops so she could lend a hand. I was so surprised! At the time I was just on my 50s & walked w/a cane, but didn't look too pathetic (it's much worse now), but certainly could use the help. I thanked the girl & offered all my blessings, congratulated mom, & went home w/a lifted spirit. Darling girl, I hope your generosity of spirit remains w/you forever & ever. I'll remember you all my days.
Wysteria_Rose 1 year ago
My hedgehog was passing and I had rushed her into the emergency vet with some hope that they could do something. They took her immediately back and I had to stand in the waiting room for a minute. I had my sunglasses on but everyone could tell how messed up I was and that I was crying and trying not to sob. A woman came up, asked me, "was that your baby they took back?" I could only nod and she hugged me and tried consoling me. Eventually, they took me to a back room where they explained that my hedgie had passed away and let me use a back door to leave privately. I think about the woman sometimes and how kind she was and not everyone gets that kindness when they really need it. I wish I could have told her thank you.
Take me to dinner first 1 year ago
Don't worry, if she was sensitive enough to do that she definitely knows you were thankful :)
Load More Replies...
Adam Zad 1 year ago
Back in 1985, I was at Grad Night at Disneyland. No date, and I was seriously bummed. I was up at the top of the tree house, sitting on the bench up there, just feeling depressed. This young black kid, obviously with his girlfriend, saw me, stopped, and asked if I was OK. That small bit of compassion from a stranger, taking time away from his date, to notice another person's low mood, was enough to snap me out of my funk. Whoever you are, if you see this and remember... know you helped a depressed, lonely kid, and you'll always be remembered.
Ariom Dahl 1 year ago (edited)
Lovely positive thread! :) I really enjoyed reading all these posts.
Kraneia The Dancing Dryad 1 year ago (edited)
While driving downtown in smalltown USA I pass a fella in a car almost identical to mine. Not a rare make/model but uncommon and you wouldn't expect to see it here. So I honked and yelled NICE CAR and got a smile out of him.
BookFanatic 1 year ago
I was at a local casino, waiting for my mother. I don't gamble, and she rarely, so I was her ride and amused myself with a book for a while. Decided to get a snack from one of the restaurants and while I was waiting for my food, a darling gentleman in his 90s came up and invited me to share his salad because I looked hungry. Not sure if he thought I was homeless, or what, but we ended up splitting his salad and my pretzel. He was a Navy vet and had some awesome stories. As I was leaving, he said "be sure you tell your momma you met a nice Jewish boy!"
Ranger Kanootsen 1 year ago
When I was 18 years old, I was standing at the edge of a lake with bricks in my pockets. As I was about to walk in, a man came up to me who must've seen, and asked for my bricks to build his sculpture. I gave them to him. He walked away, and I saw him place them on the ground. There was no sculpture there. He said that "there are so many beautiful things to be built with bricks, and why sink them when you can make them rise? why sink yourself when you can rise?". I'll never forget. I choose to rise.
duckie 1 year ago
In 2001 I lived in Berlin. At the time I always re-read the Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy books. One night in May 2001, I was waiting for a late night subway train, sitting on the bench next to me was a young guy who looked asleep. I pulled out "So long and thanks for all the fish" and started reading. Suddenly, the guy came to life, rummaged in his pockets and showed me something: he was carrying the same book, different edition. We chatted about Douglas Adams for the two stops on the train, then went our separate ways. Days later I learned that Douglas Adams had died. Not sure if the encounter was the 11th or not, but close. Felt a bit magic.
Take me to dinner first 1 year ago
No freaking idea why someone would downvote this, so I upvoted you (even though I would upvote anyway), but honestly, AMAZING TASTE! Never a book (books in this case) made me laugh out loud more than this series. And I do find kinda magic how similar tastes make us humans bond... I once complimented a girl's tshirt (it was a singer's merch) and we spent the entire bus ride talking as if we were best friends, never saw her again
Load More Replies... Robin DJW 1 year ago
Hospital where I (22F) worked, late night. Got into an elevator. A strange guy (~35) was already in the car.. I said some phrase like "lab specimen." He replied with a random word. I nodded and asked some random question. He replied with a nonsense phrase. We were emulating a conversation in code, like some spies in a movie. Continued until one of us got off the elevator. It was completely unexpected and unexplainable improv. I'll never forget how fun it was. It was one of those 60-second encounters that can still make you smile 50 years later.
Distinguished Gentleman 1 year ago
he was a spy thinking you were his contact
Load More Replies... René Sauer 1 year ago
I have two funny ones: The first was when I was learning to drive. The car I was driving was clearly marked as a driving school vehicle. I pull up to a traffic light in the straight lane, while another guy pulls beside me in the left turn lane. He looks over and notices the car, and calls over (We both had the windows down): " Learning to drive, eh?" I nod: " Yeah." Him: " Nervous?" Me: " A bit." Him: " You got that, good luck!" and with a thumbs up he turns, while we continue straight. The other was not much off an interaction, but still funny: I was leaning on a railing, immersed in my phone, when I noticed movement around my waist: A large German Shepherd was sniffing me. before I could pet him, or react in any way at all, the owner had already pulled him away on continued on his way while saying to his dog: " No, you are not allowed to pee on people." I was left staring after him in confusion.
Iris Gray 1 year ago
I had been doing my holiday shopping at a shopping centre that was about a 45-minute bus ride from my home. Just as I got on the bus to go home, it started to snow. In my town, everything shuts down when it starts to snow. The bus was crawling along very slowly, and people started to get restless and annoyed at the driver, when one passenger got out his guitar and started playing Christmas carols. We had a sing-along on the entire bus ride back to town. Some people even stayed on the bus past their regular stops just to finish the song they were singing.
Emotionally unstable elephant 1 year ago
Flight got delayed by 5 hours. Started talking to the people opposite to pass the time. Ended up in a short,yet strong friendship where we basically talked about anything and everything. When we got food vouchers,one of them offered to shout us drinks. After we finally landed,we walked into the terminal together but they went in a different direction once we were inside. Never saw them again. There was just something so nice about banding together,even if for a short time.
Rosie 1 year ago
A frew years ago I was loading groceries in the trunk of my minivan, just outside a supermarket. A car pulls over next to me & a little girl (about 10yo?) comes out & starts helping me. Her mom is standing next to her & explains to me the kid had seen me as they drove by & insisted mom stops so she could lend a hand. I was so surprised! At the time I was just on my 50s & walked w/a cane, but didn't look too pathetic (it's much worse now), but certainly could use the help. I thanked the girl & offered all my blessings, congratulated mom, & went home w/a lifted spirit. Darling girl, I hope your generosity of spirit remains w/you forever & ever. I'll remember you all my days.
Wysteria_Rose 1 year ago
My hedgehog was passing and I had rushed her into the emergency vet with some hope that they could do something. They took her immediately back and I had to stand in the waiting room for a minute. I had my sunglasses on but everyone could tell how messed up I was and that I was crying and trying not to sob. A woman came up, asked me, "was that your baby they took back?" I could only nod and she hugged me and tried consoling me. Eventually, they took me to a back room where they explained that my hedgie had passed away and let me use a back door to leave privately. I think about the woman sometimes and how kind she was and not everyone gets that kindness when they really need it. I wish I could have told her thank you.
Take me to dinner first 1 year ago
Don't worry, if she was sensitive enough to do that she definitely knows you were thankful :)
Load More Replies... Adam Zad 1 year ago
Back in 1985, I was at Grad Night at Disneyland. No date, and I was seriously bummed. I was up at the top of the tree house, sitting on the bench up there, just feeling depressed. This young black kid, obviously with his girlfriend, saw me, stopped, and asked if I was OK. That small bit of compassion from a stranger, taking time away from his date, to notice another person's low mood, was enough to snap me out of my funk. Whoever you are, if you see this and remember... know you helped a depressed, lonely kid, and you'll always be remembered.
Ariom Dahl 1 year ago (edited)
Lovely positive thread! :) I really enjoyed reading all these posts.
Kraneia The Dancing Dryad 1 year ago (edited)
While driving downtown in smalltown USA I pass a fella in a car almost identical to mine. Not a rare make/model but uncommon and you wouldn't expect to see it here. So I honked and yelled NICE CAR and got a smile out of him.
BookFanatic 1 year ago
I was at a local casino, waiting for my mother. I don't gamble, and she rarely, so I was her ride and amused myself with a book for a while. Decided to get a snack from one of the restaurants and while I was waiting for my food, a darling gentleman in his 90s came up and invited me to share his salad because I looked hungry. Not sure if he thought I was homeless, or what, but we ended up splitting his salad and my pretzel. He was a Navy vet and had some awesome stories. As I was leaving, he said "be sure you tell your momma you met a nice Jewish boy!"
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