Random Acts of Kindness

kettlenic

After reading how someone ordered groceries for another poster in need, I thought maybe we could start a thread about ways to pay it forward and times when we have paid it forward?

I think it could be any act of random kindness - even helping someone on a bus or smiling at a stranger?

I dont have an example of my own but do plan to think of something today....I really think the world is in need of this!!!

Uniscots97

Happened twice for me in the past week. I helped an eldery lady off the train (all the blokes that had been sat with us just pushed past and ignored her). Two days later I was visiting another office so got on at a different stop, no seats so I had to stand. I thought I had a decent grip of the hand rail. Seems not as the train went full pelt round a corner I slipped and was starting to fall, a young man grabbed my arm to stop me from hitting the ground. It could have been quite nasty if he hadnt grabbed my arm. And then yesterday I helped a women get her pram with baby asleep in it off the train (again the other passengers just pushed past and tutted).

kettlenic

People seem to change completely on trains!! glad someone helped you - and likewise you helped others!! amazing how people just push past!

Uniscots97

Kettlenic I could have broken a bone or hit my head if I'd gone down. The chap kept apologising for grabbing me so hard but said I prefered that to the floor coming up to meet me! And it is true trains do change people! I haven't used commuter transport for about 12 years so using it for this job (as driving is a nightmare and parking is non-existent) is a real eye-opener.

thriftyniftyme

Well... I have to admit I prefer to think that we do these little things for one another because we are all human beings. I think it is nice to be able to detail how you have been helped or how you could help others, but I don't know why, but bragging about your own good deeds somehow cheapens the act?

Although I have to say that yes, I saw that thread and I wanted to plant a big fat kiss on the cheek of that person, because they did what I would dearly liked to have been in a position to do, and they did it modestly to boot. Well done that person xxxx

kettlenic

thriftyniftyme wrote: »

Well... I have to admit I prefer to think that we do these little things for one another because we are all human beings. I think it is nice to be able to detail how you have been helped or how you could help others, but I don't know why, but bragging about your own good deeds somehow cheapens the act?

Its not bragging but sharing ideas on what we can do it to make this a better place to be in general. It would be nice to think all humans are like this - but you just have to watch the news too see that is far from true....

thriftyniftyme

No I do get that your intentions are good, and I totally get the share how you've been helped / offer ways to help people thing, but I've seen 'pay it forward' blogs and so many of them are smug, self-serving and condescending. I would absolutely shudder to see anything approaching that on here!

pollypenny

Many of the things listed are done as a matter of routine by most people - holding a door, signalling that you're about to leave a parking space etc.

maman

thriftyniftyme wrote: »

No I do get that your intentions are good, and I totally get the share how you've been helped / offer ways to help people thing, but I've seen 'pay it forward' blogs and so many of them are smug, self-serving and condescending. I would absolutely shudder to see anything approaching that on here!

Agree but it's good to have a reminder about the little things that can mean so much. I don't think I'll be paying for anyone's coffee just yet but a smile I can manage!:)

Fruball

They did a programme on this on The One Show - it was brilliant and I recorded it, still have it to watch again!

One person paid for the car behind to go through the toll on a motorway/bridge (i can't remember) which I thought was lovely

I have passed my 4 hour parking ticket to someone when I know I have only used 30 mins of it (and yes, I know strictly I am not supposed to but I don't care)

I have given change to someone who was 20p short at the till

As a matter of course, I hold doors open, signal if I am leaving a parking space etc

If everybody made a point of paying it forward, wouldn't we live in a happier place?

(I have also signalled that I am NOT leaving the car park when a man with no children was waiting for my parent and child space I then drove straight out behind him hahaha)