Random Acts of Kindness (RAK)

devist8me · Post by **devist8me** » Sat Apr 16, 2005 5:27 pm

I went to Walmart today and bought several things. I also used about 15 coupons. As the cashier was putting my last item in a bag, he picked up my coupons and put them in my bag too, and looked up and winked (a "yes I meant to do that" wink). It made my day!

It got me to thinking, has anyone done any random acts of kindness for you lately? ....or have you done for someone else? Just anything kind and for no reason at all. It can be anything from letting someone in front of you in line at the store to something huge.

Tell me about it....

NewRunner · Post by **NewRunner** » Sat Apr 16, 2005 8:44 pm

I was standing in line at the grocery store, looking at a small package of some sort of new cookies they were selling. There was a lady in back of me, and I could just tell that she was depressed about something. She was looking at the few items she had put in her basket, and was figuring up the cost, whether or not she had enough money for each item.

I wanted to buy a pack of the cookies for myself, and when I had finished paying for my purchases, I picked up the cookies before the bag boy had time to put them in the bag, and gave them to the lady behind me. I said, "Ma'am, I don't know you, but God wanted me to tell you that He loves you and everything is going to be all right." She was so pleased, and she was amazed that someone would do something like that. She didn't know how to thank me for that little thing, and I said "Just think of me when you enjoy them, and remember what I said."

I don't customarily stop people in the store, or anywhere else for that matter, and tell them God loves them. And I hadn't planned to do that then, either. It just came out of me spontaneously. I left the store feeling really good.

devist8me · Post by **devist8me** » Sat Apr 16, 2005 9:32 pm

I sometimes think just smiling and saying "hi" is a random act of kindness anymore. People seem distracted in thought by whatever is going on in their lives and don't really pay attention to others. They seem shocked to be acknowledged (or wondering why some goofy woman with a smile on her face is babbling 'hi').

lady cop · Post by **lady cop** » Sat Apr 16, 2005 9:49 pm

i try.~~~ i remember once when i was 13 i met a man who was freezing. i took off my coat and gave it to him. i think that was the day i decided to be a cop and do something for less fortunate or scared people.

babygirl · Post by **babygirl** » Sat Apr 16, 2005 10:05 pm

I once helped an old lady cross the buisy road.

cars · Post by **cars** » Sat Apr 16, 2005 11:08 pm

In the Supermarket & other stores, I am always getting items off the "Top shelf" for the older "shorter" folks that can't reach them.

Cars :driving:

ice maiden · Post by **ice maiden** » Sun Apr 17, 2005 2:39 am

as a short person can i say thanks i myself have been forced to ask for help with those high shelfs

i always try to help other when i traveled on the busses i would help mums on with prams ect

pink princess · Post by **pink princess** » Sun Apr 17, 2005 9:39 am

i do this kind of thing every so often

if im in a que in a shop i have been known to let 2 or 3 people jump in front of me

at work if i go to the shop ill sometimes get some of my co-workers a coke or cake or something

i think its nice to do, little things like that can really make a difference to someone

smithy87 · Post by **smithy87** » Mon Apr 18, 2005 6:44 am

I was slowing down at a junction and noticed a frail old man at the side of the road waiting to cross. As the other cars pulled off I held back and was hoping the cars on the opposite side could see what I was doing and let him cross. And it was freezing cold aswell. Nobody was stopping for him and the cars behind me were beeping. So I got out, left my car in the road and went over to him. I stopped the traffic and walked him over the road. He was thanking me all the way. Can you believe someone shouted abuse at me from their car? So they got the one-finger salute :driving:

I felt better for doing it and hope when I'm like that one day, someone will help me!

hotsauce · Post by **hotsauce** » Mon Apr 18, 2005 7:37 am

This is good stuff! Makes me feel better about people and startind my week.

I would get big tips at times...when I was serving in college...I had a couple of $100 tips...they always came at the right time.

I went with one of my friends to get her car fixed once...and she had just had a baby....they had very little money. The guy fixed her car for free! He said, "go put the money you would have spent into a college fund for your little girl". That was awesome!

devist8me · Post by **devist8me** » Mon Apr 18, 2005 8:57 am

Awesome posts! They make me think there really are kind people out there in the world. Plus, there are some pretty special people in here!

minks · Post by **minks** » Mon Apr 18, 2005 9:02 am

Was paying for a purchase at the store not to long ago and was like 5 cents short and knew I had the change somewhere in the endless bottom of my purse and they young man behind me simply put a nickle on the check out and said here, let me look after that, and I said ok let me give you that back when I find it and he said no that was fine. There was no long line up, no pressure to get me outta the store and he was pretty laid back so it was just an act of kindness. Made my day.

My fave act I did, when I worked downtown I was dropped off at the same corner for years by the then husband to go to work in the morning and on that corner, was a homeless man who sold newspapers. He said good morning to everyone daily and had a smile. Times were tough for me and the ex back then but at christmas I had saved up only $20 extra bucks and put them in an envelope and about a week before christmas I made a special trip to the corner on my coffee break and gave it to the paper guy. He smiled and thanked me endlessly. I was touched my mere $20 was so graciously received.

I dunno, I really don't put much thought in to RAK I just do what my heart tells me sometimes. I was raised to be kind. Some days simple politeness is a RAK.

hotsauce · Post by **hotsauce** » Mon Apr 18, 2005 3:41 pm

canaan wrote: I was getting as really late at night a few nights ago. A guy comes up to my car asking if he can have some money to feed his family. I only had 3 bucks on me so I gave it to him....

however...

now that I think about it, it was a bad part of town...I was alone with one of my children and some strange man walked up to me...I think I gave him the 3 dollars in hopes that he wouldn't kill me and steal my car.

Does that still count?

Only if you weren't thinking at the time "I hope this keeps this guy from killing me". If you thought that later...I think it still counts.