Random Acts of Kindness

[Catiendha Myerin]

I try to do at least 1 nice, unexpected thing every day.  I try to do a random nice thing for some random person, just to make them smile or brighten their day up.  There is too much negativity in our world today. 

 

I'm not trying to rack up brownie points or sound like a saint.  I'm far from it! 

 

I just think that by making someone happy, they might pass it on, and make more people happy.  How many times have we had a crappy day and grumped at others?  they might get grumpy and grump or bitch at others, and so on.  Snowball effect.  By making at least 1 person happier, they may pass it on and have a happy snowball effect instead! 

 

You would be surprised at how much gratitude these random people give for small acts of kindness. 

 

When in a store, help a short person reach something on a top shelf.  Carry groceries for an elderly person.  When driving, let someone get "in" to the lane they are desperately trying to or wait a few moments to let someone turn or pull out when traffic is heavy.

 

Late last night we had a freak snowstorm.  No one saw that coming!  It has not snowed here in over a month.  About 3 to 4 inches of snow plus freezing rain.  Since I am up late, I decided to surprise my neighbors by cleaning off their cars for them.  Who wants to wake up to a frozen, snow-covered car?  Not me!

 

I just went outside and cleared off about 20 cars.  I came in when I was freezing and felt like my toes were going to fall off!  I brushed the snow off and scraped the ice from all their windows.  4 people came out to go to work while I was doing that.  I immediately went over to do their cars when I saw them.  They were all surprised but very gratefull.  One woman even "paid it forward" by helping me to clean off some other random cars while she let her car warm up!  that was the coolest thing ever!

 

Today, I was a "snow angel" and I just hope someone is happier than they were because of it.  Let's hope they have a good day and make others happy. 

 

So, do you do any random acts of kindness?  I'd love to hear your ideas!  This is not bragging, so don't be shy!  Ideas on how to be randomly nice will help us all.   

[Rinkai]

I try to do this. But everyone thought I was a creeper.

[Catiendha Myerin]

oh-kay! 

 

Yeah, that is a sad commentary on the times that being nice can be misconstrued as having an ulterior motive.  People today are too wary and think that everyone is playing the Game of Houses! 

 

I got that once while doing my snow angel thingy.  One guy confronted me and asked me what I wanted.  I told him I did not WANT anything.  I was just trying to be a friendly neighbor and help clean cars off to surprise people with a clean car instead of a snow-covered mound.  I went away and cleaned off other cars instead of his.  Sometimes you just gotta walk away, even when you are dying to give them an earfull!  F-  him!  If he didn't want my help and didn't believe me then he can clean his own bloody car off.

 

Very sad.  People are so suspicious about anyone trying to be helpfull these days!  I blame the scam artists!  Darkfriends!  If someone tries to help you, do you think "thank you" or do you think "what scam is this person up to"??  Scam probably.  that is sad. 

 

There are many scam artists out there, but we can defeat them!  I will continue with my random acts of kindness no matter what!  I hope others will join me.  We have the power to bring smiles and happiness!

 

Anyone have another idea of how to do random acts of kindness?   

[Adella]

I try to just be kind in my everyday, being nice to people at work (retail) and just trying to make people smile when they are having a bad day.

 

But, this customer today did a great random act of kindness. He had commented on me and my coworker being so friendly and happy, even though our job seemed to be very dull at the time. He left with a smile on his face which was good enough for me at that point.

A few minutes later, he came back, he had stopped by the candy store across the hall and purchased us each a piece of fresh chocolate. I was in such shock, and I wish he hadn't spent money on us, but this random act of kindness, just for us doing our jobs with smiles on our face, has made my whole week just rock. ;D

[Thealynn Rosewolf]

I know just as a part of common courtesy I like to do things for people. Such as holding open doors, or helping people find their way if they look lost. When I'm at the store and I notice that people are in a rush, or if they have less items then I do, I tend to let them go first.

 

Also since working in customer service, when I am the customer I'm never grouchy with whoever is helping me. I might get a little frustrated if I'm waiting a long time, but I also try to keep in mind that the people who are checking us out or are helping us can only do so much at a time. Chances are they're doing the best they can, and it's not all their fault, things happen, that's just life.

 

As far as random acts of kindness, this past holiday season, as I was going through our garage to get the ornaments, I found a storage bin of Ty beanie babies. I don't know how many of you remember them, or know of them, but growing up they were really popular.

Since I didn't have any sentimental value, I handed them out. To co-workers, neighbors, friends. And those that I didn't give as gifts, I donated to one of the children's hospital. Rather then letting them gather more dust, I tried to spread some holiday cheer!

[Mr Ares]

*Punches Catiendha Myerin in the face* I'm more of a fan of random acts of brutality. What can I say, I'm evil.

 

or if they have less items then I do.

Fewer items. There, my good deed for the day. Anyway, I prefer not to mention it when I do nice things for people, as it then comes as more of a surprise when I next do them.

[Thealynn Rosewolf]

Thanks for correcting my grammar. I deserve a slap on the wrist! ^_^;

[Mr Ares]

You should pay it forward - find someone else, and make out you're better than them in some way, and then call it a kindness.

[Catiendha Myerin]

*Punches Catiendha Myerin in the face* I'm more of a fan of random acts of brutality. What can I say, I'm evil.

 

or if they have less items then I do.

Fewer items. There, my good deed for the day. Anyway, I prefer not to mention it when I do nice things for people, as it then comes as more of a surprise when I next do them.

 

Mr. Ares the only thing keeping me from introducing you to a good, old-fashioned ass-kicking is the fact that I am determined to be a good little Novice.  I will take your punch, since it was so WEAK!  We call that a love tap back in PA!  :p  I've had baby kittens kick me harder.

 

Adella-that is an awesome story with the chocolates!  Sometimes just being nice pays off.  Pay it forward!

 

Thealynn--that's what I'm talking about!  Holding doors for people, letting people go ahead of you in line at a store . . .etc.  that is unexpected and makes people happy!  Happiness spreads!  I remember the beanie baby craze.  Handing them out is awesome!  Collectibles go up and down in value.  Maybe in 10 or 20 years one of those gifts will be super valuable and bring a fortune to one of your benefactors.  If not, at least you made a child smile during a time of hardship, which is invaluable. 

 

This is something everyone can do:  If you eat at a restaurant, please be kind to your waitress/waiter.  I worked as a waitress briefly in high school.  Waitresses and waiters get LESS THAN MINIMUN WAGE!  Look it up.  Minimum wage and waitress/waiter/server pay in your state.

 

I'm still upset that this idiocy is still going on 20 years later.  The government "assumes" that waitresses/waiters more than make up for the difference between "wait pay" and "minimum wage" with tips.

 

Not always the case.  If a customer is pissed off about their food, the restaurant, the time to get seated, etc. . . .they take it out on the waitress/waiter.  Waitresses/waiters get stiffed ALL THE TIME, even if it is not their fault.  The cooks, the hosts/hostesses/managers/owners etc. get paid a flat rate based on their hours, no matter how they perform on the job.  The wait staff gets a much lower wage and has to depend on tips to make up the difference.  Completely not fair!

 

Don't get me wrong.  I firmly believe in rewarding good work and giving a slap on the wrist for bad work.  I've experienced some bad servers.  When I have a good waiter or waitress, I tip generously.  when I have a very bad waiter or waitress, I tell them why and give them a minimum tip.  But I never stiff them. 

       

   

[Adella]

I actually went and looked that up, wondering why I ahd never heard of it.. It appears that it doesn't work like that in my state, and tipped-employees still get hourly state minimum wage.

 

But, I do know that at most places in my state, because they still get minimum wage, if the tip is included in the bill, they have to split it with the cooks and bus-boys and what not.. Which is laaaame!

[Alys Kinch]

here, restaurants are supposed to document tips and make up the difference, but often don't.

 

as for random acts, it is all in the little things. i've waited ten minutes beside a door because my hubby held it and everyone tried to rush through. it kinda irritates me when people selfishly take advantage and don't pass it on or say thanks or anything.

[Lilbaz]

I've got a good one.

 

I was in Ho Chi Min (Vietnam) and was walking back to my hotel when a guy I recognised from the bus got pick pocketed by a couple of bar girls. He had all his cards and cash in his wallet and was a little devestated. I gave him 20 dollars to get him by even though I didn't relly know him and never saw him again.

Anyway a week later I was in Hue and tried to get some money out of the ATM, but my card wouldn't work. I tried about three machines with no joy. The next day I decided to go to the post office to see if I could get some money wired over via western union. The caretaker told me it was shut, he saw I was a bit pissed off and asked me what was wrong. I told him that I couldn't get any money out and he explained that most of the ATM's don't pay out on international cards (even with visa) but there was an international bank down the road. He said that if that didn't work I should come back and see him and he would lend me money until the banks/postoffice were open next week. I thanked him and luckily got money out, I was so grateful that I bought a bottle of whiskey and took it back to the caretaker.

Anyway had a great night and he took me out with some of his firiends and met some very georgeous Vietnamese girls.

 

If thats not karma I don't know what is.

[David Hermes]

Another kindness is when people greet you,like for example, saying good morning, you greet them back.

Or even give people a nod in acknowledgement as they walk past you. Of course, many people just ignore you because they have other things on their minds. Which is a shame!

[Mr Ares]

*Punches Catiendha Myerin in the face* I'm more of a fan of random acts of brutality. What can I say, I'm evil.

 

or if they have less items then I do.

Fewer items. There, my good deed for the day. Anyway, I prefer not to mention it when I do nice things for people, as it then comes as more of a surprise when I next do them.

Mr. Ares the only thing keeping me from introducing you to a good, old-fashioned ass-kicking is the fact that I am determined to be a good little Novice. I will take your punch, since it was so WEAK! We call that a love tap back in PA! :p I've had baby kittens kick me harder.

Wow, how weak do you have to be if a kitten can put you out of action for more than two days?

[Bela_theDo]

Another kindness is when people greet you,like for example, saying good morning, you greet them back.

Or even give people a nod in acknowledgement as they walk past you. Of course, many people just ignore you because they have other things on their minds. Which is a shame!

 

I was doing it every morning to my "precious" neighbours...and getting what? Nothing. Even a nod, or a smile would be enough. I do think it is so rude when someone says "Good Morning" and other says nothing, ignores him/her. So i started to say nothing to them,still ignoring them as they are doing. Because everytime I said "good morning,good evening etc." and got no reply in return, i felt like more stupid.

[Ashaman DeRouge]

I work in a bank, and as the manager I very rarely get a chance to jump on the computers and work the teller line, but when I do I charge absolutely ZERO fee's to the lucky people who get served by me, for stuff like bank cheques and whatnot.

 

It's a small thing to me and the bank, but in the area I live in $10 can go a long way.

[David Hermes]

To be honest Ashaman Derouge I was never aware that tellers could charge, but in my opinion, I think that's wrong because the tellers that do charge are basically saying,"Because I'm handing you your money, some of it is mine as a reward"

What I'm saying is that if you're not charging that's great, but at the same time I think it would be wrong to charge as you are already getting a salary, and you're(not you Ashaman, but other tellers) taking needlessly from other people's money.

[Ashaman DeRouge]

Here we go...

 

People generally arn't charged for coming in to the bank and taking out money, unless they have some old-as-dinosaur account and need to update thier banking. things like international transfers, bank cheques (not your own cheque book...), and various other teller services above and beyond day to day stuff are the things I don't charge for. Also if someone comes in and has a halfway decent excuse as to why they havn't paid thier credit card on time, i'll waive late payment fee's and such.

 

In regards to banks charging fee's a general trend? They are probably too high, yes. The problem is there are extreme pressures to return profits for shareholders, and in stead of banks trying to lead the way and cut prices, everyone hides behind everyone else and undercuts each other by negligible amounts in an effort to be the cheapest.

 

 

Anyway, I'll wait for the next round before continuing... :P

[water_seeker]

Ashaman, after spending some of my worst years with a..."grab your ankles bank," I find that you are the kindest person on this board. ;)

 

Most of the stuff people are saying (ie, holding doors, greeting people, responding to greetings...) are things I was brought up to do anyway.  I don't really see them as kindnesses (especially not random acts thereof) so much as proper behaviour.

[Catiendha Myerin]

I am officially ignoring a certain grumpy, ill-mannered, confrontational grouch in this topic.  If a certain looby wishes to twist words into negativity, that is his problem. 

 

I started this topic to focus on the positives we can bring to others in unexpected ways. 

 

I saw some unexpected kindnesses today.  I decided to use public transit and took the bus to the store today.  There were a few rowdy, loud, rough-looking young men at the bus stop.  But they unexpectedly let others get on the bus ahead of them and were very polite in doing so.  They helped several elderly people get on the bus, carried their packages for them, etc.  It was quite amazing and made me smile! 

 

Adella-minimum wage and server wage is determined by state.  In PA, the wait staff got about half of the minimum wage when I lived there.  Not sure what it is now.  Splitting the tips is not so uncommon.  If the waiters/waitresses in your state get the state minimum wage and split the tips, they should count themselves lucky.  Where I worked, the cooks/dishwashers/hosts/etc. got the real minimum wage and the waiters/waitresses got the "server" wage, which was about half of minimum wage.  Some restaurants STILL made them pool the tips and divide it up based on hours worked.  Totally not fair! 

 

But we are getting side-tracked again.  I wanted to focus on what we all can do to make a brighter world for everyone! 

 

I'm busy with getting things together for moving right now, so random acts of kindness are kinda few and far between at the moment.  Still looking and won't quit!  Maybe I can help someone on the highway while moving next week! 

[Mr Ares]

I am officially ignoring a certain grumpy, ill-mannered, confrontational grouch in this topic. If a certain looby wishes to twist words into negativity, that is his problem.

I can sense I've done something to upset you. Excellent, I'll just add you to the list. 7,950 down, 4,840 to go.

 

Most of the stuff people are saying (ie, holding doors, greeting people, responding to greetings...) are things I was brought up to do anyway.  I don't really see them as kindnesses (especially not random acts thereof) so much as proper behaviour.

Good point. Tell you what, I'll give an act of kindness now (which will itself count as an act of kindness, appeasing our poor put upon thread starter)which is a little different. This one happened a long time ago. Someone I knew was injured in the war (the Great War, to be specific). He inhaled some gas, and his lungs were damaged. He couldn't walk. He couldn't lie down. He was in constant pain. And he asked for help. Someone helped him. Gave him a hand getting rid of the pillows propping him upright, and he drowned when his lungs filled with fluid. That was a great kindness.

[Ashaman DeRouge]

...too far?

[Mr Ares]

There's such a thing as too far?

[Ashaman DeRouge]

Actually you are correct good sir. Anything and everything, otherwise nothing.

 

But if there was a line, you toed it. And did various other things. Some of which are illegal, in most states.

[Mr Ares]

I've spent most of my life repeatedly crossing the lines society inists exist. Sometimes through necessity, other times by accident, sometimes just for the sheer hell of it. If I crossed one this time, it would be one of those accidental ones. Not that I care if I did or not, I don't take back what I said, nor do I make any apology for it. I think it counts as the kindest thing mentioned in the thread so far, over and above cleaning snow off cars or tipping waitresses.