Abby Normal
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Post by Abby Normal on Sept 16, 2013 12:34:06 GMT -5
I've never actually had one happen to me- at least not like this. I went to by my son a thermos for school. When I got home, I went to wash it and found $100 inside. Thank you kind stranger! Have any of you ever experienced something like this? I always hear about them on the the news- but it's usually around the holidays. Last year there were several instances at this same store. I'm going to have to shop there more often.
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NancysSummerSip
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Post by NancysSummerSip on Sept 16, 2013 12:43:36 GMT -5
Aw, that's very cool. Never had anything like that happen. But it's nice to hear about it.
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tractor
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Post by tractor on Sept 16, 2013 12:48:13 GMT -5
I have been known to buy random strangers dinner. If I see you sitting alone, looking stressed about something, I will pick up your check as I leave. I hope they appreciate it, but since I leave, I'll never know for sure. Either way it makes me smile, and that's why I do it.
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The Captain
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Post by The Captain on Sept 16, 2013 12:51:21 GMT -5
I've had the people in front of me pay the toll for me.
When DD and DH are out of town and I have to stay to work I will sometimes buy a random senior couple's dinner if I go out to eat.
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happyscooter
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Post by happyscooter on Sept 16, 2013 13:10:55 GMT -5
DH and I went out to eat on Mothers Day. (we had already celebrated with our kids) There was a lady sitting by herself for lunch. We asked the waitress for her check and we paid it. I don't know how she reacted, we had already left. But it was Sunday and she was dressed like she had just left church. If she didn't have kids or they didn't live here, why didn't someone ask her out?
If we still went to church I would organize a Mothers Day and a Fathers Day luncheon for parents whose children were deceased or lived far away.
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sarcasticgirl
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Post by sarcasticgirl on Sept 16, 2013 13:20:08 GMT -5
WOW! that is great! I have paid the toll for the person behind me, as well as paid for the coffee for the person behind me in line. I've randomly given "Kohls Cash" to a mother standing in line with 3 kids at the register. I didn't see anything I wanted, so I gave it away. I can't think of anything like that happening to me. at least not from someone who didn't have an ulterior motive.
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sarcasticgirl
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Post by sarcasticgirl on Sept 16, 2013 13:22:20 GMT -5
actually... once I was trying to get into the subway and I realized my 30 day pass had expired, as I was searching through my bag for a new one, someone came out of the subway and offered to swipe their card and let me in. I told them I had a pass I just had to find it. she swiped her card anyway and in I went. It didn't really cost her anything extra... but it was nice that she took that extra minute. Most people around here wouldn't hesitate to walk past me while bumping me on their way!
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swamp
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THEY’RE EATING THE DOGS!!!!!!!
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Post by swamp on Sept 16, 2013 13:24:40 GMT -5
I've had someone pay for my tea in the morning.
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greeniis10
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Post by greeniis10 on Sept 16, 2013 14:01:18 GMT -5
Wow! $100.00 in a Thermos - nice! I've never had anything like that happen to me but we had our annual Oktoberfest here on Fri. & Sat. and we always get free tickets, usually 4 or 6 each. This year the gal handing them out just grabbed a handful and gave me 9. I kept 6 for our group and gave the extra 3 tickets to the 3 ladies in line behind me. They were very appreciative, even though the tickets only cost $5.00 each and they were free to me but it made me and them happy. Wish I could do more...
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Peace Of Mind
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[font color="#8f2520"]~ Drinks Well With Others ~[/font]
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Post by Peace Of Mind on Sept 16, 2013 16:18:31 GMT -5
I get them all the time! Like just today. I was out in the street getting my mail and NOBODY ran me over.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Sept 16, 2013 16:49:02 GMT -5
I have been known to buy random strangers dinner. If I see you sitting alone, looking stressed about something, I will pick up your check as I leave. I hope they appreciate it, but since I leave, I'll never know for sure. Either way it makes me smile, and that's why I do it. I've had that happen to me! I was out to dinner with my children, trying to act normal but I was really stressing about something that had happened. The lady that paid for our dinner actually came over to our table before she left, but I was so surprised, I barely got a "Thank you" out before she walked away. It was a timely reminder that there are good, kind people in the world.
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myrrh
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Post by myrrh on Sept 16, 2013 17:56:33 GMT -5
LOL POM. I should try to pay it forward more often. There are two instances that come to mind that I did, one was a couple of years ago and one was yesterday. The one a couple of years ago somehow we ended up with three free tickets to the zoo. We had an annual pass so we gave the tickets to the people behind us in line. They seemed very surprised and happy. Yesterday someone left their phone on the table behind us in Burger King. (No flames about fast food please!) I was turning the phone in when the phone's owner came in again to order something else, I think for her kid. She was so surprised (not sure she realized she had forgotten it) and relieved. People have done that for me, I remember getting my purse back after (stupidly) forgetting I had put it on the roof of the car and it fell off at some point during transit. I was about to cancel all the credit cards and stuff when I got the call.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Sept 16, 2013 18:47:07 GMT -5
DH saw four Navy people eating in Applebee's yesterday and told the server that he wanted to buy their lunch. The restaurant was great although, since he said he didn't want them to know it was him, THEY took credit for it. But they were very generous with us, sending us both a dessert we didn't want and giving us a "military" discount and then a $5 off $25 discount. It was all cool.
However, I did tell him that I would have been more impressed if one of them hadn't been an ADMIRAL. An admiral can afford his own lunch more than a midshipman can. I heard their comments afterwards. It was something like "This happens a lot when we go out dressed like this."
But now he can brag that he bought an admiral lunch. Lol.
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motherto2
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Post by motherto2 on Sept 16, 2013 20:49:34 GMT -5
How cool is that! I don't think I've ever had anything like that happen to me. My son goes to a college that is huge with alumni, and he and his friends have their meals bought by an alumni here and there. DD gets bumped to first class when she's in her uniform. I'VE never been in first class, except to walk through to the commoner's seats . I think it's really cool when people do things like that. Makes my heart warm. I try to do what I can. I give to several charities, church, and help the military with things, like I just sponsored a care package for a Marine overseas in honor of my son's 21st birthday (he's a marine too). I always donate when I go to Petsmart. It makes me happy that I can help, even if it's just a little bit. I just wish I could do more.
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thyme4change
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Post by thyme4change on Sept 16, 2013 20:52:20 GMT -5
I heard some state made that illegal, because the toll booth operators were pocketing the second toll and still charging the second car.
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plugginaway22
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Post by plugginaway22 on Sept 16, 2013 22:07:55 GMT -5
I was in a fast food drive thru line and cut off a driver, not intentionally, but I could see her bitching in my rearview mirror. Got up to the window and paid for my lunch and hers, and told the worker to tell her I was sorry. Not sure if that counts as a pay it forward.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Sept 17, 2013 3:25:08 GMT -5
When we lived in Michigan, near Detroit, I would sometimes meet my husband for lunch. There were several times that our server came up to us and told us that our bill had been paid by a stranger to thank my husband for serving in the military. It wasn't at the same restaurant either. It happened at Olive Garden, Mongolian BBQ, Applebee's, an Indian place.... It was always amazing when it happened and it always brought tears to my eyes.
Today I get to do my act of kindness. I am bagging up some clothes my kids grew out of to take to a family that just came here from Africa. They have nothing. I have never met them, but another lady I know has. I also have a brand new comforter bed n' a bag set to give them. Winter will be here soon and they need help. I hope to get more opportunities to help out like this.
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xia
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Post by xia on Sept 17, 2013 5:39:38 GMT -5
Years and years ago day before Christmas eve in local Wal-Mart when cashier finished ringing up my purchase she handed me a gift card saying the person who paid for it told her to give it to whoever will be her 3rd. customer after him. Till this day I still wish I know who the person was so I could thank him. All I remember it was typical pre Christmas busy retail madhouse afternoon with people in front and behind me in line only a blur.
Anyways, since then every year on 23rd of December we try to do the same thing at random busy store.
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happyscooter
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Post by happyscooter on Sept 17, 2013 7:08:46 GMT -5
xia, that is a cool story. probably wanted to get out of the store since they said wait for the 3rd person.
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nogooddeed
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Post by nogooddeed on Sept 17, 2013 7:40:27 GMT -5
I've received free food! Having lunch one day and noticed that a man at the next table had left his cell phone on the table when he left. I chased him out the door and returned it. He bought my lunch.
I was in a convenience store one morning and let a man go ahead of me to pay since he had been waiting on a cashier longer than me. He bought my coffee.
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thyme4change
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Post by thyme4change on Sept 17, 2013 7:48:18 GMT -5
When we lived in Michigan, near Detroit, I would sometimes meet my husband for lunch. There were several times that our server came up to us and told us that our bill had been paid by a stranger to thank my husband for serving in the military. It wasn't at the same restaurant either. It happened at Olive Garden, Mongolian BBQ, Applebee's, an Indian place.... It was always amazing when it happened and it always brought tears to my eyes. My husband always pays for people in uniform - I'm not sure we've ever seen anyone at sit-down places. I remember him buying the sandwich for a really young looking man, who had a slightly terrified look on his face, while we were in the airport. But I know my husband does that every time he gets a chance. He always says that he was too lazy to serve, so he is glad someone will.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Sept 17, 2013 10:13:26 GMT -5
My daughter's ex-boyfriend was going home for the summer from college. His family had sent him the money for his bus ticket. When he got to the window to pay, he was short $11. Another customer said he was an alumni from the same college and paid the difference for the ticket. I wasn't there so I don't know exactly how the conversation went, but I thought that was a great story.
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bookkeeper
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Post by bookkeeper on Sept 17, 2013 10:52:14 GMT -5
My DH and I have bought other airport travelers a meal. The last time we took a bump and DH got a bunch of food vouchers, so we bought some nuns sandwiches and breakfast for the people sitting next to us. Another time, we missed our flight along with several other passengers (they gave away our seats and closed the door early). One of the left behind, a lady from Ukraine, was very upset and tired from traveling for the past 24 hours. We bought her supper and kept her company until the next flight in 2 hrs.
My son delivers sandwiches and often receives extra large tips from people who enjoy being generous. My son, in turn, shares the tip with the sandwich makers on the line.
We were going to an outdoor concert one summer day. The concert had shuttle busses from the parking lot to the event. While we were waiting for the shuttle bus to come, we met a truck driver who had broken down. The truck driver was going to the concert to kill some time until his rig could be repaired in the following days. As we loaded the bus, he didn't have any singles for the shuttle cost. We paid his ride to the concert and told him not to worry about it. Later that day, he found us in a crowd of thousands (we were in the beer garden, imagine that) and paid us back the $2. He told us we made his day after all the trouble with his truck. Together we watched Santana, Fitz and the Tantrums and Steve Winwood perform. It was a great day.
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sesfw
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Today is the first day of the rest of my life
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Post by sesfw on Sept 17, 2013 11:50:56 GMT -5
I love the whole idea of Random Acts of Kindness and do it as often as I can anonymously.
Mostly what I've done is purchase McD breakfast for people sitting outside with just a cup of coffee and a very down look about them. I'm usually in the drive-up window and just ask one of the workers to give the meal.
I had one gentleman at a dollar store pay $5 towards my bill of $8. Bless him.
Whenever I do anything for a friend or acquaintance I never accept payment, just as them to pay it forward.
Recently I gave away my violin that I received almost 60 years ago to a 10 yr old girl that had been taking lessons for a couple years on a cheap rented instrument. I attached on string to it. When she was ready to give it away, it had to go to a good home. Whether 1 yr, 10 yrs, or 60 yrs.
Does this count?
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The Home 6
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Post by The Home 6 on Sept 17, 2013 12:39:05 GMT -5
A lot of times, especially in the winter, I will buy a coffee and give it to the sentry at the gate coming onto post. There have been several 'incidents' with bad people trying to get on base, so I want to tell these guys "Thank you" in some little way.
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moneymaven
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Post by moneymaven on Sept 20, 2013 9:42:09 GMT -5
A friend just took a trip by herself to celebrate her birthday and met some nice ladies while at dinner one night. When she checked out the next day, she learned those ladies paid for her hotel stay.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Sept 25, 2013 10:54:59 GMT -5
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Abby Normal
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Post by Abby Normal on Sept 25, 2013 11:40:13 GMT -5
I wasn't crazy enough (or honest enough) to turn it in. The local paper ran an article saying that people were turning it in and the store was holding it for 30 days in case someone claimed it. I just kept it.
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lynnerself
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Post by lynnerself on Sept 25, 2013 12:19:15 GMT -5
I'm shopping in the wrong stores.
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cronewitch
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Post by cronewitch on Sept 25, 2013 13:19:42 GMT -5
We were on a Sunday drive for no reason at all when we stopped by the road for something. As I pulled out we saw a car pulled over and my ISO said stop. He had seen the car just go past and thought something was wrong so we asked him. His car had died about 10 miles from town, he had been having trouble with it. So we took him into town to a towing company but they didn't have anyone available. So we took him to the auto parts store where he could get a few tools and things then back to his car. We attempted to see what was wrong since my ISO is pretty good with cars he thought it was an alternator so we had him get the stuff to fix that. I found the problem, a wire was almost all the way disconnected so they tightened it and his car worked again. We must have spent two hours helping a total stranger but we weren't in a hurry anyhow. He wanted to pay us but we don't take money to help people so we let him go into the next town with us and buy ISO a beer, I don't drink and I was driving anyhow. This was before cell phones so if nobody stopped he might have had to walk 10 miles into town and carry back stuff to fix his car.
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