Generosity can be a really good thing. Being that way in spirit, without getting anything back, can sometimes come back and bring us positive things anyway.
I’ve written about to this on occasion, and usually it involves helping those are that are not as fortunate. For example, on occasion I’ve given to the homeless. Also, I’ve seen others show some real generosity to random people who clearly needed a few breaks.
However, I have to say, I’m not sure if I’ve written enough about good things that others have done for me. Well, there was a very simple yet unexpected example of such a thing recently. I almost didn’t know what to do, because this hasn’t really happened before.
I was in my car on a chilly morning, wanting to get some coffee before starting the day. So, I decided to swing by the drive-through to make my purchase. Coincidentally, it was the same place I described in a prior fun post on picking up coins at the drive-through. In this case, I wasn’t going to play such games, but wouldn’t have had the opportunity to do so anyway.
The order was made through the speaker, and I had to wait in line to pay and pick up the coffee. After a short wait, the typical drive-through drill was about to take place. You roll down the window, give them the money, they give you the food. Or just coffee in my case.
This time, the guy just gave me coffee and said “thank you!”
I paused, and mentioned that I had yet to pay. My credit card was in hand, ready to be given to him.
He then smiled, and said that it was taken care of by “the last guy”. I wasn’t sure what he meant by that, so I again told him that I had yet to pay.
As it turns out, the guy told me that the SUV that was in line ahead of me had actually paid for me. Still perplexed, I commented that it was “too bad” that he paid. There was actually a bit of guilt, and I wondered how the guy could smile while telling me that the previous customer accidentally paid for my coffee!
Silly me. He then explained that no, this wasn’t an accident. The customer had apparently said that he would like to pay for the next car’s order, whatever it was. How nice of that person!
You know, I hate to say that I had a fleeting thought that it would’ve been great if I had placed a big order 🙂 However, that quickly dissipated and I realized that it was pretty cool what that person did. Totally generous, and the person was getting nothing directly out of it.
Sometime soon, I’ll buy a total stranger a cup of coffee or meal too.
Have you ever done this for a stranger, or had someone do this for you?
I’m hearing about this quite frequently these days! Hasn’t happened to me yet – not much of a coffee person, but this is one trend I can get behind!
Maybe it will happen. Better yet, get someone else a coffee!
It was an interesting episode!! Such people, today, are in short supply!!!
I totally agree! Too many extractors these days, and not enough of these such people.
What happened to you is the definition of pay-it-forward. Like you said, now you plan to do the same thing for someone else. It can be great to add a little happiness to a stranger’s life by doing this.
Agreed Bryce. It’s great to brighten someone’s day a bit.
Pay it forward! A great story any time of year, but always seems even better around the Holidays.
It’s a good thing, I agree!
Great story! You’ve motivated me to pay it forward, somehow, in the coming days. Thanks for sharing this.
Excellent, glad it made an impression
One time when paying for my breakfast at a diner the hubs and I frequent somewhat frequently, I paid for the breakfast of a little old lady who went there every day for breakfast. It felt nice to be able to do that. I keep hoping that some day there will be a table of soldiers for whom I can do the same thing…..anonymously of course. Just a small way to honor them.
Awesome. Glad you bought her that meal, it might have really brighten her day.
Years ago, as a freshman in college – away from home for the first time, I came down with an awful cold. I went out in the snow, wind and ice anyway to get to class so I wouldn’t fall behind. I was feeling pretty sorry for myself. Between classes, as I was walking along, head down into the wind, an acquaintance started walking beside me – asking how my day was going and etc. As I complained about being sick, sniffled and blew, Jay – a boy I hardly knew, steered me to the campus commons and proceeded to buy me a cup of hot tea with lemon and sugar in it. He sat with me while I sipped. Needless to say, I felt a lot better, knowing there was one person who seemingly cared that I was under the weather.
Since, I have always striven for great empathy with those who aren’t feeling well!
It’s really memorable when someone who’s a stranger helps us out in a time of need. Thanks for sharing your example Marie.
I love the “pay it forward!” I’ve done it several times at coffee places. I’ve also done it at restaurants with younger families too. It’s always lovely to spread a little happiness out there!
Good for you that you’ve done this!
Small acts of kindness like this really do a lot to improve your happiness (doing them, I mean). How nice of the person in the car in front of you! It’s not a lot of money but it sure makes a big difference. I try to do small acts of kindness wherever I can.
Totally agree, doing such kind acts can be good thing for the giver.
I love random acts of kindness! I once gave $10 dollars to a young man who was homeless and just needed a break. He cried. I think that there are a ton of examples of great people out there doing selfless things. I wish the news would take time and focus on how kind people can be.
Wow, that’s powerful stuff. He cried. I’m glad you helped out the person in need in that instance, nice to read about a kind move.
Imagine if we all paid it forward? Thanks for the reminder Ray and sharing this story!
I know what you mean Paul. Thanks for stopping by.
I had this happen to me at a toll bridge once. I was so happily surprised that I kept it going and paid for the car behind me. I wonder how long it kept going – I guess only the toll operator would know! Nowadays it’s not possible to do that at all the tolls in my area because they’ve made some completely electronic with no physical operators present. But doing it through coffee works!
Good story, I wonder how long it went! It’s similar here with tolls, most that I see tend to have no attendant. Anyway, you’re right about coffee working too!
In southern MN, a local radio station weekly encourages people to do just this; pay for the order of the car behind you at whatever drive-through you’re at. They call it ‘the drive-through difference’ because doing this usually makes a difference in somebody else’s day (and in your day, too!)
That’s great, it’s good to see this type of spirit out there
I have a cousin who pays for the person behind her on the interstate lane for the Ipass.