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Pandas, What Was A Moment When A Stranger Did Something Really Nice For You? (Ended)
Sometimes it just takes a little bit of kindness to make your whole day better. Kindness from strangers is especially interesting because even though that person has no idea who you are, they decided to be kind. It serves as a reminder that yes, there are good people in the world. Share some of your stories!
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I was running a 5k race by myself when I was 10. it was really cold and the road I was running on was covered with cracks. there were a lot of people that were a lot older than me and I was scared and alone. I started the race fine but when I got near the finish, there was a part on the road that had a huge hole. I didn't see the hole and I fell. I was by myself and I was now hurt. but then a bunch of the other runners stopped and helped me up and made sure I was ok. they asked if I had someone with me and I said no so they ran with me to the finish. my leg was bleeding a bit so they stayed with me until I got my leg wrapped up and I found my family. I won't forget those 2 women and 3 men that helped me
Not me but my mom. She was pregnant with my brother (before I was born) and had lost her wallet. She was waiting in line to get food when she realized this. A super nice homeless man gave her his last dollar and insisted she buy some food. Many years later, she saw him again, and gave him a hundred dollars for his one. We still see him a lot and he still remembers my mom.
When I was little, some older children were bullying me. A stranger came in and explained why it's not right to do so and said that it probably means that they themselves have some trouble in their homes or something like that. So they got embarrassed and stopped. I was and still am thankful for that.
I was bullied mentally and physically at school by one girl in particular (never had many friends because I was - and still am - fat and they didn't want to be near me). She contacted me through facebook recently - we left school in 1989 - and told me both her parents were sexually and physically abusing her and bullying me was a way for her to feel better about her situation and apologised for her behaviour. While I accepted her apology I can't quite forgive some of the things she did. And she only apologised because someone's doing the same to her daughter and she realised how I must have felt.
This guy was following me in the mall and a stranger pretended he knew me to get the person that was following me away!
When i was little i was buying some lunch at a local shop and there was the butter mochi (Its a dessert) and i was talking to my friends about how good they are but i didn't have enough money and then i went to pay and the employee had slipped one in my bag and payed for it herself. 2 years later i was getting lunch there again and the same employee is taking my order and i order my food, then i went to pay and she said she cant take cash (corona and all) i felt super embarrassed because it was on a sign i just didin't see it but she paid with her card for me and kept my money, i felt super bad but she reconises me every time and is really sweet and has also done things like slipped 25 cent candy's with my stuff and said "Here ya go for the road."
This a lovely story but in the UK this got a lovely lady sacked. She had worked in the bakers shop for over 30 years and they became a card only shop. But some older people did not have cards so she was taking the money and paying with her card the manager saw her and she was sacked. The baker once this was in the newspapers lost a lot of trade.
I was in the bathroom at Cici's pizza and assumed i was alone. I looked at myself in the mirror and said "Oh, gosh. I'm a depressed mess." An employee stepped out of the stall and she said "No you're not. Were you crying?" Me: "Yes." Employee: "If it was because of a boy, he ain't worth it."
I was 11 or 12 years old, and me and my family were going camping, but we wrecked on the interstate. The car flipped twice and landed on its side, and the camper was strewn all over the interstate. A bunch of cars pulled over and people began lining up to help us get out of the car. They knew they couldn't wait for the professionals to get us out of our car because they were afraid it would roll down the hill with us inside. We climbed through the side window one by one (there were ten of us, me and my parents and my seven siblings) and they lifted us down to the ground. We were all in shock, but these complete strangers were just holding us and hugging us and telling us it would be ok. They stayed until the ambulances arrived. It was probably one of the most comforting things I've ever experienced.
When I was a teenager, I was on my way to my dad's house, and had to drive through the country to get there. I was low on gas, but I had no money, and I figured I could make it there in time to hit my dad up for some gas cash. I guessed wrong, and my car died. So there I was, a teenaged girl, stuck on the side of the road, in the middle of nowhere, and it was getting dark. BTW this was in the 80s, so no cell phones yet. I was really stranded.
A family pulled up and asked me what the problem was, and I explained. They lived on a nearby farm, and they had a fuel pump for their farm equipment. They brought enough gas in a gas can to get my car started, and then they insisted that I come over to their place to top off the tank. They seemed genuinely embarrassed when I thanked them profusely, saying, "Ain't nothing, that's just the way folks are around here."
I was going through a very difficult time because of life events. All of my friends turned away from me when I needed help the most. Someone referred me to a Church that might be able to help with food. I broke down crying while telling the Pastor my situation. He excused himself and said he would be right back. He returned a few minutes later with several bags of food. All these years later, I still remember his kindness.
The same thing happened to my partner and I earlier this year. We got evicted due to an extrememly large car repair bill we had no choice but to pay- either we lost the house or our jobs (needed the car for daily commutes.) We had to go to a church for a food parcel, my partner just lost it and I felt so helpless. I had experienced homelessness many times before due to an unsettled life but he hadn't.
I made a post on BP and got 6 likes :D I know it does not seem like a lot but it made my week and it was my first post ever. Knowing that 6 people somewhere in the world like what I made is awesome!
I was short on money and the person behind me paid for me! :)
We had a house fire. We all got out safely, but lost basically everything we owned. My employer was a dress shop, and when they heard, they provided me with a whole new wardrobe from the shop. The Red Cross also helped my family to get clothing and other things that we needed.
In college, living in a house by myself, got nearly 2 feet of snow. Had 2 days of classes cancelled, but needed to go in by the 3rd day. Had no choice but to shovel the long driveway by hand. Started by the road (state highway so busy and edge piled high with salt-crusted snow/frozen slush). Someone driving a pickup with a snow plow was about to drive by but stopped and said "that looks like hard work, let me." He plowed the whole driveway, for free! Was done in less than 3 minutes, would have taken me all day!
I was at a party and was sitting off by myself. I didn't really know anyone and I have a really hard time talking to new people. This other girl comes up and starts a conversation with me and introduces me to her group of friends. We are all still friends. I have trust issues and don't make friends with people my age easily, so what this girl did helped boost my confidence and self-esteem ENORMOUSLY. I didn't really have any friends before this except for one or two.
Last week I was coming home from a funeral for my 21 year old nephew. I was just numb. I decided to stop at the store and get something to eat later. I parked, ran inside and spent about 45 minutes looking and trying to shake the day away. I went to pay for my item and found my wallet was not in my pocket! I left the item I was going to buy and ran out to my car, utterly freaking out wondering where/what my wallet, with everything in it, had gone. As I got to my car I saw the door was open and things were laying all over the ground. My heart sank. I'd been broken into. Did I leave the door unlocked? As I got a few steps closer I saw a tall, skinny man standing there. Then I got scared. I was far away from the store and no one was around. The man called to me and asked if this was my car and I said yes? He explained that he'd been in his car, opposite me, when I had left and when I closed my car door the seat belt had gotten in the way of the door closing, and it didn't close. He'd gotten out to close it for me and then saw my wallet had fallen on the ground, and he saw a credit card laying there. He had stood there this whole time guarding it, making sure no one took anything and he was careful not to touch anything. He had just waited for me to come back. To say I was stunned and incredulous is an understatement. 45 minutes this man had just stood there, for me, a stranger. Everything I had was there for the taking and if he wasn't such an angel he could have had and trashed my whole life as my driver's license, some money, credit cards, my ATM card were all there. I thanked him 100 times and he kept smiling, like it was nothing. I told him he was my angle and he said, "just pass it on"
When I was probably around 10 or 11, I went into a coffee shop by myself (mom was outside with the dog) to get orange juice. They had freshly made orange juice at that particular place, so it was in bottles which the person working the counter would pour into a to go cup for whoever ordered it. When the girl working there was pouring my juice, what was left in the bottle just perfectly filled he cup, leaving the bottle empty. I don’t know if this was a real policy or not, but she said “Oh, looks like the bottle ran out, so I’d better just give this to you for free! Have a nice day!” I was super flustered because I was already anxious for having to order for myself so I just said thanks and ran out to my mom (she made me go back in to tip her haha). I don’t know why, but it still sticks in *my* mind after all these years, and she probably forgot about it by the next week. I guess that’s the thing with doing small things for people; there’s no reason not to because it could affect them positively for a long time, and you won’t even think much of it.
Does anyone remember when Oprah inspired people to do Random Acts of Kindness? It could be free like a smile, holding a door or, paying a toll for the person behind you. Think 2020 should end with some 'Random Acts of Panda Kindness' ;D
In 2014 I walked from my home in the Netherlands to Santiago de Compostela in Spain, almost 3000 kilometers (between 1500 and 2000 miles, for the US readers). Time and again I have been struck with the kindness of people.
From people who, when I asked them to fill my water bottle, added some ice cubes "because it's so warm", to people who invited me in for a beer or a glass of wine in the shadow before continuing. Or even people who approached me in the street to ask if I had a place to sleep for the night, and invited me into their homes if I didn't. Or mayors of small villages who opened up the sporting facilities so I could shower and sleep there. Or people who let me set up my tent in their garden.
I can go on for hours.
If the news media are trying to make you believe that the world is a bad or dangerous place, there is really nothing better to regain your confidence in humanity than to take your backpack and go on a long walk for a few months (I took 5 months; best adventure in my life so far).
Most individuals are okay; it's when they organize themselves into groups that you have to be careful.
Oh dang ya people are pretty amazing when they want to be. Just be careful if you do go on a long hike like this cuz there are people who will hurt you expically if your a woman (not trying to be depressing or anything but it's the truth) and if you are in a area with really southern people most of us are quite good at some old fashioned southern hospitality!!
Once when I was crying on the side walk and a complete stranger gave me a bouquet of lilacs I calmed down immediately.
I was about 8 and had my first phone (no cell service or anything just games and pics) and I went to wallmart. I had to go to the restroom so I put my phone in the cart and told my dad it was there. He forgot and went to the restroom as well, and when i got back my phone was gone. We went to the management and they said that they havent seen it. By this time i was crying and we needed to leave. As I was leaving an older lady came in and was holding my phone. She said that she had found it in the parking lot and she had guessed that someone dropped it so she would take it to lost and found. Well we said what happened and we realized that someone had tried to get into it and I guess they couldn't so they just left it in the parking lot. We tried to repay the lady but she said that she would have done the same thing for her grandchildren if she had any. I never saw the lady again but I will always rember her kindness.
A total stranger smiled and said hello to me. In that moment I didn’t feel invisible.
My cousin and I were at a trampoline park and he wanted to get some candy but none of us had any money The lady behind us paid for it. It's random acts of kindness like this : )
every day. people talk to me like they DON"T think I'm annoying.
Whoever gave you the idea that you’re annoyingly was wrong. You are done and worthy of acceptance.
There was a big storm while we were on a road trip and we stopped at a gas station to get food, and wait out the storm a while. We had made ourselves some cup o noodles but we couldn't find forks. Luckily this kind lady called Keisha, helped us and asked some Starbucks employee to get "us two babies" some forks. She was really nice, and I wont forget Miss. Keisha. We could've just gotten over our social anxiety and just asked for forks our selves but I'm real grateful we didn't have to.
I didn't so much as experience this as hear about it. There were two officers doing their rounds (in New York City I believe) and they walked by an ally. Now, there didn't seem to be anything odd about this ally, until a stray puppy walked out. The little dog trotted out and sat on one of the officer's shoes! The officer then brought it back to the station, but that puppy only had eyes for the one officer. Last I heard, the officer is in the process of adopting that puppy. :)
The reason I chose this (I forgot to add this) is because I was having a really tough day, and reading this story made me smile so much. I hope it helps anyone else struggling too. :)
Once, I was lost in Disney World because I was staring at some toys in a shop, and my parents kept walking. As soon as I noticed I was lost, an elderly couple came by. I asked them if they had seen my parents. They said no, but they spent the rest of the afternoon helping me try to find my parents, even though that was their last day in Disney. And to top it all off, once we found my parents, they bought me the toy I was staring at when my parents accidentally left without me.
I have had complete strangers from the internet contribute toward my beloved dog’s surgery costs: https://www.gofundme.com/f/a-miracle-for-marzipan
We aren’t out of the woods yet, but the kindness of those strangers will stay with me forever.
or when I and my bro were at QT and we needed 2 more dollars and this random lady behind us paid for it
At McDonald's, a woman paid for out food (The woman in front of us in the drive-thru) It's small but nice :D
When I was like 7, I went to Utah for the first time while it was snowing! (I live in the dry desert so we don’t ever get snow) so me and my cousins went and thought that it was so “bad” to go and dust the snow off peoples cars. So when we were in the middle of doing so, the garage opened. We all scattered and hid. The guy was equipped with something you would use to take the snow off a car. But his job was already done, for we had done it for him. He saw our little heads poking out and we thought we were in trouble. However the guy said “hey! You saved me from being late to work!” And he gave us candy 😄
Many years ago the Seattle Art Museum had a showing of Impressionist paintings from the Louvre. It was attracting massive crowds. On the last day of the exhibit, I got there very early only to find the line already going around the block. After two hours, we were told that it would still be about four hours before we made it to the front of the line but that if anyone bought a season's pass to the museum, they could go in right away. The woman behind me (a stranger) decided to buy the pass, so she left the line and went in. I didn't have the money for a season pass and was debating whether or not I wanted to wait another four hours or just go home. Then I noticed the woman walking back down the line, looking intently at everyone she passed. She noticed me and said that she bought season passes for her and her boyfriend but he was out of town. So she gave me his ticket for the day and then she headed back into the museum before I could even thank her. It was so cool to be able to leave the line and walk right into the showing when I was expecting a four hour wait!
After getting away from an abusive relationship, I went to a local Catholic Charity to ask for clothing suitable to a job interview. I was encouraged to accept as much clothing as I wished so I would have enough for at least a week's work. As I chose the items, the woman left the room. When she came back she was carrying 4 bags of food for my son and I. That was 20 years ago and I still weep when remembering her kindness. (I got the job. My son and I got back on our feet.)
the first thing I can think of is at chick-fil-a when I was off 81cents ad the lady working there didn't make me pay it.
I was at a wal-mart and i was in the check out line and I dropped something and I didn't have a cart at all so I used my arms to carry everything, and this person comes and takes my stuff out of my arms and puts it on the conveyor belt and I didn't have enough money on me so the person in the next lane over gave me a dollar to pay for my things
I’m not sure it even counts but it made me feel good so here it is. I was like 8 years old and I was on a trip in a different state for vacation. When I was in the car going back to the airport I was doing the thing where you look out the window all serious and pretend to be in a music video. We passed another car with another girl about my age and she waved to me, and I waved back. It was so small but it just made me feel so good inside seeing another kid in a car just like me and waving to each other. Since I left that day I never saw her again.
Someone paid for my food at McDonalds. We also did it for the people behind us and the chain according to the cashier, went on for the whole day. That's what one act of kindness can do. Be kind today.
It wasn't for me directly, but because of my brother. A bunch of strangers from an amazing organization built a playground for my brother. They even took us out to breakfast and to a place for an activity of our choice (we chose the Children's Museum). He has a brain tumor, and has had one since he was 4 months old. We knew a few people, but at least 15 others we didn't know where there. If you guys want, I'll give you a link to the website. They are a nonprofit organization that does this for a lot of families. We've joined them for many events since. They're awesome people.
It was last week when I voted early at FAMU in Florida. I’m in a walker after hip surgery. I asked the young man at the ballot box drop off station, while in my car, where handicapped parking was since I’d come to vote in person. He pointed down the road. When I got to the lot it turned out it was on a steep hill. I got out of my car but decided there was no way I could get up the hill and down the road a block On my own and I was preparing to leave, massively disappointed, when there he came, having found someone else to take care of his station,, to help me.
It took me an hour to vote even though there was no line, and he was at my side the whole way. It was an awesome achievement for me. And it was only possible because of his spirit.
I was ten years old, and I was at a summer camp. For some background, at home I was being abused by an uncaring father who's favorite thing to tell me was how stupid I was, how greedy, and what a bad person. A friend of mine was joking around and told me that I was stupid, which eventually triggered me into a panic attack. I was hyperventilating and crying in the middle of a large group, but one camp leader noticed. She pulled me away from the crowd, had me take a walk with her to find a bench. She didn't even know my name, but she pulled me in her lap and hugged me tight, rocking me and wiping my tears away when I finished. Every time my mind falls to the words of my ex-father, I instead turn my mind to her. I will never forget that day, and looking back on it from a much better place and mental wellness view, it still makes me smile.
I'm a mom and my 11 year old daughter has a savings account we get mail of how much she has in her account every month and I just gave it to her i never looked at them myself little did i know she was saving up to buy my husband a brand new 1971 chevelle and oldie car for christmas i could not believe it when she told me she saved that much money over the years to buy him that i was so impressed and she is so amazing she means the world to me and my husband he was so happy and i was to! i'm so proud and i can't tell she will always be a daddy's girl!
I was an older college student (in my 40's) and didn't have a lot of money. I was in the snack bar and wanted a bottled drink. I got it out of the cooler, counted my money, decided I didn't have enough, and put it back. Some younger college students saw me and insisted on paying for it. I told them they didn't have to do that, but they wanted to. That was so nice of them. I have payed it forward several times since then.
I was living in a new city & just made a great group of friends. Shortly thereafter my dad got sick & passed away. These women who were complete strangers 6 months earlier, all reached out to me & shared their experiences and support.
I was in my 30's & felt like the only person in the world without a dad. 4 of my new friends also had lost their dads & knew just what to say so I didn't feel so devastatingly alone. It truly was my life raft that kept me above water.
Once I saw a homeless in a park. I asked him if he wanted some money. He didn't speak my language, so he took a sheet of paper and wrote a message in english saying " a certain smile for a while, for every little good receiving". Two years have passed since that day, I still have this message on the desk
Were on the road and my dad passed out, when he passed out he landed on the side of the steering wheel and we swerved off the road. there were rocks in front of us so we ended up flipping and landed upside down. But luckily there were people that stopped and helped us. Btw my dad is doing fine now.
Glad your Dad is well, it must have been so scary for you even without the car crashing.
This one time me, my four siblings and my mom were on a cross country road trip, and our car broke down in the middle of no where, and it was in the middle of the winter. We were stuck on the side of the road with no cell service and no other way to contact anyone. After about half an hour a sweet elderly couple stopped and used their phone to call a tow truck, and then they drove me ad my siblings (the tow-truck only had space for one other-person), to the auto-shop where our car could be fixed.
I was like, 1 or 2 years old, so I don't remember this, but my parents have told me about it many times. When we still lived in Texas (or California, I can't remember), my parents were strollering me along in our neighborhood when a really kind, old stranger came up to us. He was holding an old black dog plushie, and when he saw me his heart was really touched apparently. He talked to my parents and gave me the plushie, not needing it anymore. I still wonder about that old man and whatever happened to him. And I, of course, still have the plushie, and seeing as I'm on the autism spectrum, it helped a hell of a lot when I was feeling super down. Thanks, old man, wherever you are.
Me and my friend went to UDF and forgot masks...however there was a doctor there and she said: “Are you ladies out of masks? I have some! Im a doctor!” And we thanked her like 3 times! Then after that we forgot to count our money. And so then this lay paid the tax!!!! Our friend also took us a long way there even tho we could’ve just walked straight there! Heheh :,)
One time when I was about 8, I was at my neighbors garage sale, with some of my friends. And they had these super cute matching tea-cups. Each in a different color. And this nice lady bought one for me and each of my friends.
-I broke My leg when I fell on the stairs, oof TvT, But then this one Gentlemen Helped me take to the hospital!! uwu, We both got to know eachother and now we are friends, and I think I sorta Like him Lol UwU!!! But I will tell him that Later UwU💖-
Once a couple years ago I was at our local nature trail with my family and it suddenly started raining really hard, like pouring. (We had walked) we started running home, me and my siblings were pretty little. About halfway down our street a man came out and offered us a ride home.
Did an internship in Ukraine, Kyiv, didn't speak any Russian or Ukrainian. On the bus were two boys who'd make fun of us (a group of four, all in their twenties) by talking English in a very silly way. A man, probably aged between 40 and 50, would tell the boys in English (for us to understand) that what they were doing was completely disrespectful and that they should stop treating guests like that. The boys stopped immediately, even after the man had gone off the bus.
Ok, I know it isn't that big of a deal, but I haven't forgotten it so here we go:
I was like 5, and was trying to pour myself some soda. I wasn't able to lift it, and was about to cry because I was a very emotional child, and this teenager dude, with a mohawk and leather jacket, comes up to me and poured me some. IDK why this has stuck with me, but it has.
I was riding my bike on a 30 km ride, when halfway through my tire went flat. It was in the middle of nowhere, starting to rain. I couldn't call my mom because my bike wouldn't fit in the car. and I was getting a bit scared. As i was standing there by myself, a van stopped and this elderly couple got out to ask me why I was standing there on my own. I explained what happened and they loaded my bike into the van and drove me home. They were the nicest people ever, didn't accept money and just wanted me to pay it forward. Will never forget it!
When I was four me and my sister where in a walk in for hours and i mean like five hours straight sitting and waiting. So this lady saw us and heard us complaining and she let us use her drawing tablet to draw while we waited. I to this day don't know who she is but I wish I could repay her.
A few years ago, I was going through the haunted house that my old school set up. During the walk (it was scary) I got choked by a stray spider web, losing my hat. Later, someone found the mask and gave it back to me (:
I forgot my wallet in the supermarket and was trying to install the bank app, when a stranger offered his wallet. Confused first 'no thank you I didn't loose my wallet', but then took the offer. When I got home I doubled the amount and donated foundation for poor people in my hometown (Amsterdam)
When I was younger, my mom brought me to a bookstore to get a book. I saw a pinkilishous (or however you spell it) book. We brought it to the cashier, but my mom had forgot her wallet. A amazing woman behind us, paid for it. Maybe because she was just being nice, but also because I was screaming my head off. Idk either way they are an amazing person.
I was playing roblox and somebody walked up to me and said "That i seemed like a nice person" I friended them and we are friends to this day
I said that wrong they actually said "hello you seem like a nice person do you want to be friends" its not much but its stuck with me :D
I was at my dads one weekend and i got in another fight with my older brother. I decided to go for a walk to blow off some steam. As I was walking a boy that looked to be about a year or two younger than me and he must've seen I was in a pretty mood so he complimented my hair. It may seem like a small gesture of kindness but that really turned my day around. : )
I was sort on meny and the person behind me paid for me. :)
This shall be the "Second" post and shall be ignored.
I was in 1st grade at a new school with no friends. I told the teacher that I had to go to the bathroom and she said they would wait. Well, I went and came out and they were gone. There I was, a 6 year old in a new school with no friends and no idea how to get around. THANK GOD the librarian found me wandering around, and she walked with me to find my class. Apparently they were eating popsicles in the courtyard, and there was only pineapple left for me (I hate pineapple popsicles). I'm still thankful that the librarian saved me from a potential meltdown and a lot of embarrassment.
When I was 9, I was at a gift shop at a wildlife center in Texas with my Nana. I had $8. I really wanted a $10 toy. After I accepted that I couldn't buy it, we looked at necklaces. While we were doing so, a man walked up and handed me the $10 toy with a receipt. I said, "Oh, That's not mine." But He insisted I take it. After a moment, I realized that he bought it for me! His wife said that he does these things all the time.
WOW! These are great and really interesting! Don't forget that upvotes are also anonymous acts of kindness.
Let's end 2020 with Random Acts of Panda Kindness!! We're a Global Community. Let's put Karma back in Balance!
WOW! These are great and really interesting! Don't forget that upvotes are also anonymous acts of kindness.
Let's end 2020 with Random Acts of Panda Kindness!! We're a Global Community. Let's put Karma back in Balance!