Pay it forward : Random acts of kindness

[STKR]

Things like this could reshape the world if everyone took part and it became normalised. I often pay for random people's fuel without their knowledge, just as a good old fashioned random act of kindness. I even paid for a ladies hair cut the other day because I overheard that she could only afford a $30 trim. I choose situations where the person isn't aware at the time but finds out when they go up to pay. I'm usually long gone carrying on with my day, and I like it that way because it leaves a bit of mystery behind for both parties.

We have a very generous community here, so I'm sure you all have your own stories. Please share your pay it forward contributions and random act of kindness moments here:

 

[Administrator]

This is something I could do.

About ten years ago there was a beggar located on my way to work. I saw him almost every day except weekends. After lunch I'd often give him my change. Usually less than $10.

Then I saw him one after noon, drunk and pissing on the sidewalk in full public view in broad daylight. In front of women and kids. I hate to think that I contributed to that. So I stopped giving him money.

The meal idea is a much better idea than giving cash.

 

[STKR]

I almost refuse to help professional beggars. You're never really helping them and mostly supporting some sort of addiction. I've seen the same faces around doing the same shit for well over a decade.

I've even given one bloke a job and let him stay at my house for a week. He ended up cheap-shotting me when I was looking away during a disagreement before work. I was going through a phase where I was trying control myself and let things go but he really pushed the limits that day. I tried my best to avoid a confrontation but he kept throwing punches. As I was dodging them, I began taking my wrist watch off so I didn't break it when I hit him. He did this pathetic little kick at me that missed by a mile, and while he was attempting this, I got my watch off, unconsciously threw the watch at the ground and broke it (doh!) And front kicked him in the face so hard that he went flying onto his back. He turned over onto his hands and knees, and I grabbed him by the hair and gave him a barrage of upper cuts. I overdid the upper cuts a little and smashed my knuckles pretty bad. I was pretty worried that he may have had hepatitis or something but all was good. The funny part is that my watch stopped and captured the exact time of when my foot was making contact with his face. I still have the watch.

A few weeks later I got a call from him. I was going to tell him to piss off but I answered and he said "hey man I'm at the bus stop". I put on my finest crack head voice and said "no worries I'll see you soon" and hung up. I still have a chuckle thinking of him waiting for the guy.

 

[STKR]

That's more of a "Pay it back" story
But the point is that I'm very selective of who I help. But even then, there's no shortage of opportunities to help good people and restore their faith in humanity.

 

[Administrator]

A homeless man approached me in the street a few months ago. He was clearly on something. He asked me, in his nicest voice, if he could use my phone to make a call. I said "who do you need to call"? He quickly turned sour and said "Oh f*&k you". From the look on his face I thought it might escalate. Luckily he just walked away.

I'm not about to hand over my newish unlocked phone to some stranger meth-head who could possibly out-run me. But if he gave me a phone number I may have called them and put it on speaker.

 

[STKR]

A homeless man approached me in the street a few months ago. He was clearly on something. He asked me, in his nicest voice, if he could use my phone to make a call. I said "who do you need to call"? He quickly turned sour and said "Oh f*&k you". From the look on his face I thought it might escalate. Luckily he just walked away.

I'm not about to hand over my newish unlocked phone to some stranger meth-head who could possibly out-run me. But if he gave me a phone number I may have called them and put it on speaker.

Best to trust your intuition in those moments.

I always pick up hitchhikers and have met some great people in my travels doing so. The only person I haven't picked up was this one guy. I stopped to offer him a lift and he gave me some serious murderer vibes. He asked to sit in the back behind my seat and I said "I'll just get the car off the road a bit more so you can jump in". I was back on the highway cruising by myself in a flash. I've never encountered someone as creepy as him before or since.

 

[STKR]

 

[STKR]

Every now and then we meet people through our business who don't ask for any special treatment but indicate their doing it tough. This one lady asked if she could pay in advance (which almost never happens) because we were booked out for a month and she advised she doesn't budget very well. When I provided her with a quote, she made sure I wasn't under quoting the job by indicating it would be a big job. I took her email address and told her I would send the invoice to her for payment. Instead of sending her the invoice, I sent her this:

Hi *****,

I haven't sent you the invoice, as I've given it some thought and would like to offer you a free ******* service on the 15th.

All we ask from you in return is that when you're in a position to help someone, and the opportunity presents itself, that you pay it forward.

I hope you have a great day and we'll see you on the 15th!
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She ticked all the boxes for someone deserving of a break. She was willing to pay upfront, didn't ask for any discounts, and looked out for my interests by expressing the job was likely to be more work than anticipated.