Community Chat

[bonnielu]

A few years back, I watched from a seated position as my daughter went through a grocery line.  That gal in front of her had two small children and a cart full of groceries.  She hesitated and then told the cashier she would have to put things back.  She did not have the money.  What my daughter did next, made me proud.  She took the cash out of her bag and paid the bill for the lady.  

[bonnielu]

We make a point of BEING THERE.  Our group feels if we can bring joy to just one person we have made a difference.  The inner feeling cannot be described.  Everyone can do this for others, perhaps not in a dance way but with something, anything. 

[novamc1]

Two of the most memorable and recent  random acts of kindness that I have experienced  both happened on an airplane round trip.  I was traveling alone and had two bags on board with me.

Both times, nearby gentlemen helped me lift up and take down a heavy carry-on bag from the upper bin.  I was FAR more grateful for that  instantaneous type of helpfulness than random  "gifts" of money from strangers that I've experienced a few times in the past.  In fact, those incidents slightly offended me as being gratuitous gestures from people trying to make themselves feel good.

There's always the possiblility that those fellows on the planes were simply trying to keep me from dropping a piece of luggage on their heads, but i was grateful for the help anyway.

People who have money to give away should direct it to individuals or organizations known to really need it and that will use it wisely.    Meanwhile, helpful people can help this small person hoist luggage any day of the week and will get a big smile and thank you from me!

[dex]

I have challenged myself to do good deeds everyday.It could be a helping hand a compliment or a smiling hello.Sometimes it involves money but mostly it is just a friendly encounter.i love to chat with people while we wait in long lines and everyone seems to enjoy participating and the time just flies,I Am not bragging and this really costs nothing but it is so enjoyable for me that I feel like I am happier and very blessed.

[chickenbutt]

I think all good deeds matter.  Even smiling and acknowledging somebody's presence matters to me.

I'm totally NOT one for bragging about good deeds - big or small - but there was one thing that caught me as odd the other day when I went to the grocery store.

I always thought it was an automatic thing if, when you get out of your car in the parking lot to walk up to the store and somebody else was in your vincinity, bringing the shopping cart back to the store or to the cart corral, you just say (something like) 'I'll take that back if you'd like'.  

I've never had anybody say no, so I just take the cart back and either use it or put it in the cart corral thing in the store foyer are where the rows of carts are stacked.

But, anyway, (sorry so long) the other day I had brought my groceries to my car, loaded them in the thing I have in the way-back and as I was limping back to the store with the cart, since it was closer than any of the cart corrals, I noticed a guy walking behind me.  He had just arrived at the store and was not 10 feet behind me walking toward the store.

If that were me I would have caught up and offered to return the cart.  But he just kept walking right behind me.  I got inside with the cart and put it away as he walked up behind me and grabbed a cart.

Initially I thought 'wow, that was kind of a jerky thing'.  But I had to come home and put some more thought into it and I landed on - maybe it just never occurred to him as a thing to do.   I'm not playing the gimp card, since I do limp now so I was almost worn out by the time I was taking the cart back.  But especially if somebody is struggling I would think that somebody would offer to grab the cart and return it.   I do it no matter the appearance, age, etc, of the person but I would certainly think that pretty much anybody would do it if the person were struggling.  I guess not.  

Something to think about, I guess.  

[Preds]

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@chickenbutt wrote:

I think all good deeds matter.  Even smiling and acknowledging somebody's presence matters to me.

I'm totally NOT one for bragging about good deeds - big or small - but there was one thing that caught me as odd the other day when I went to the grocery store.

I always thought it was an automatic thing if, when you get out of your car in the parking lot to walk up to the store and somebody else was in your vincinity, bringing the shopping cart back to the store or to the cart corral, you just say (something like) 'I'll take that back if you'd like'.  

I've never had anybody say no, so I just take the cart back and either use it or put it in the cart corral thing in the store foyer are where the rows of carts are stacked.

But, anyway, (sorry so long) the other day I had brought my groceries to my car, loaded them in the thing I have in the way-back and as I was limping back to the store with the cart, since it was closer than any of the cart corrals, I noticed a guy walking behind me.  He had just arrived at the store and was not 10 feet behind me walking toward the store.

If that were me I would have caught up and offered to return the cart.  But he just kept walking right behind me.  I got inside with the cart and put it away as he walked up behind me and grabbed a cart.

Initially I thought 'wow, that was kind of a jerky thing'.  But I had to come home and put some more thought into it and I landed on - maybe it just never occurred to him as a thing to do.   I'm not playing the gimp card, since I do limp now so I was almost worn out by the time I was taking the cart back.  But especially if somebody is struggling I would think that somebody would offer to grab the cart and return it.   I do it no matter the appearance, age, etc, of the person but I would certainly think that pretty much anybody would do it if the person were struggling.  I guess not.  

Something to think about, I guess.  

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I have seen this happen when I've taken carts back for others.  I've seen others "jerk" a cart out of someones hands.  I hope that my going off on these people made them stop and think for one second.  Maybe not ... but it made me think about how many others just need a second of help.  Or even a smile.  I'm sorry, but we have become a rude, entitled, and "sorry, I'm on my phone" generation. 

It takes so little to make a decision that some will/won't/can't understand.  Someday they will wonder why someone won't do what they never did.

[chickenbutt]

Hi Preds!  Wow, that's rude.   I could never imagine just jerking the cart out of their hands to take it back.   But then I'm a dinosaur who still thinks that manners are important.    

I always ask politely and people always seem to be thankful for that little bit of help.  No sense in somebody else having to walk it all the way back when I'm going that way anyway.

[Preds]

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@chickenbutt wrote:

Hi Preds!  Wow, that's rude.   I could never imagine just jerking the cart out of their hands to take it back.   But then I'm a dinosaur who still thinks that manners are important.    

I always ask politely and people always seem to be thankful for that little bit of help.  No sense in somebody else having to walk it all the way back when I'm going that way anyway.

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That's the way we feel, too.  It makes me angry when I see Rude!  It will come back back on them someday, but I really want to do it the day it happens. LOL

[dooBdoo]

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@MaggieMack wrote:

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        That's lovely, @MaggieMack.  It reminds me of a thread I was going to start about the value of even what seems to be the smallest, simplest act of kindness.   I'm not much of a thread starter, but maybe I will post it in "Among Friends."

[dooBdoo]

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@pupwhipped wrote:

Well, DUH, that's it. I was looking for the button when on the "view all forum topics" main page. I forgot you have to go to a topic page before the button will show up. See, I told you I don't start many new discussions here. Ha!

Okay, I'm going to go ahead and do this for you all. "Pupwhipped, you're an idiot!" HA! You know.....if the shoe fits.

Thanks so much to everyone for replying. Wishing you all a wonderful random acts of kindness day!

pup

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        You're not an idiot, @pupwhipped!   Everybody has questions!  I remember someone saying that "the only dumb question is the one unasked."  Glad so many were helpful to you!   We have a wonderful group of people here.