Humans are capable of so much evil, but we are also capable of great good and love. As Gandalf says (about Hobbits, of course): "You can learn all there is to know about their ways in a month, and yet after a hundred years, they can still surprise you."
Tell me about a time you encountered kindness, courtesy or just plain goodness when you weren't expecting it.
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The response of my fellow citizens to the Ukrainian war refugee crisis. My country has the largest border with Ukraine, so we expected large numbers of refugees. I thought there will be some people helping, but the extent of support and solidarity was overwhelming even for the most pessimistic person.
I volunteered at the railway station, where trains with refugees arrived every day. Upon arrival, they'd receive food, hot tea, medical care, accommodation, transport, translation, information and whatever else they needed - all for free, offered by mostly by ordinary citizens (our government's first reaction was slow and inefficient). People donated money and brought tons of food, bottled water, clothes, toys, trolley bags, personal care items. Small businesses offered their services to Ukrainians for free. Support groups on social media had tenths of posts every day asking for help, and each of them was addressed in a matter of minutes. It was literally impossible to ask for help and not to receive it. Like "please, we'd like to borrow or buy a baby carriage for a Ukrainian lady who has a baby" - to which there were at least 5-6 instant offers: "I can give you one for free, I'll bring it to you in an hour time".
It was like almost the entire nation was involved, responding to another nation's tragedy. It somehow restored my faith in humanity (and in my own people).
There's a very long setup but I'll cut it down to a very brief explanation that won't make a tonne of sense.
I was dating a guy whom i was taking it slow with but loved from the moment i met him. My (then) friend took advantage of me falling asleep at his place and raped me while he was sick and I was asleep. He then tried to blame me(who had been completely out cold) for it. I was incredibly dazed and confused and trying to process everything emotionally... I left and went to my then bf's apt and told my then bf what happened. In my expansion I blamed myself for what happened (trying to convince myself in the process that I had sent mixed signals) despite the fact that I clearly wasn't to blame but seeing as it had just happened-- it was the only way I could understand my really good friend having done that to me given that he knew I had ptsd and in a monogamous relationship and such. In reality I now know he was very predatory and it was super messed up.
Onto the positive thing-- I expected him to wash his hands off me. For alot of guys I had dated, a whiff of drama sent them running, for some even just the disclosure of having ptsd was enough for them to go looking for someone easier with less baggage and honestly... that was okay. He listened to my story with the saddest most heart broken eyes I had ever seen. I felt crushed for breaking him. Suddenly he got really frustrated and yelled that I needed to stfu because I am not to blame-- my friend had raped me and he was so messed up that he convinced me it was my fault when I was asleep and couldn't consent and he wanted to know where he lived because he wanted to go meet the guy (the three of us had plans for boardgames the next day where they were supposed to meet). He then, realising he had lost his temper and it had frightened me (he never raised his voice before or after that) craddled me in his arms,cried, told me he was sorry, told me that he was there for me whatever I needed, told me he still loved me (the first time he said that he loved me) and that anything that needed to happen he'd be there holding my hand-- if I wrnt to the police, if I had to go to the doctor, go to court, go to therapy-- he would be right there through it all. This was like... a month into dating. I had never felt so supported in my life. Also worth noting he was not an emotional person he very much was a stereotype-- he didn't even cry when his dad had a heartattack, he was always aloof and calm bordering on cold towards everyone and everything except for me-- he felt that's because I wear my emotions on my sleeve.
I ended up contracting the severe flu that AH had. Deapite my bf being a international exchange student doing research, he willingly and without being told went to most of my classes for a week to take my notes so I didn't fall behind while I laid sick at his apt and would do his research analysis late into the night. My ptsd was quite severe making it hard for him to be near me so he took the time to work it out and work with me to get closer. He was and still is one of the greatest loves of my life and while we a didn't work out (never had a chance given he lived a world away tbh) I still value that relationship, second only to the one I have with my husband.
I am Muslim, cannot have alcohol. Seems easy until you realize that anything with flavoring extracts has alcohol. So someone in my class specifically went out of their way to buy imitation flavoring that does not contain alcohol just so I could also eat the cookies they brought to class.
I have posted this somewhere before here. There is one moment I will never forget: I was driving by myself in highway, and I was really hungry. I found a small diner, packed with people. I went it and before anything I asked if they accepted cards. The owner told me they did, so I proceeded to have a big meal, with several cups of coffee.
When they check arrived, the owner -who had waited on me- told me it that the restaurant did not accept cards, and that the meal was free.
I was stunned, but the owner told me: "Son, there isn't any other diner for several miles, only gas stations and some convinience stores, but nothing for a decent meal. If I have told you the truth, I would have lost a customer and you have driven on."
I was extremely touched, and of course ate there upon return, and many times ever since. The owner has retired already, but the place is still there, and always packing.
I was going somewhere with my sister and a guy friend a few months ago, and as we were climbing into the car, my friend opened my door for me. I would never expect a man to do that or ask him to, but it was a nice gesture anyway. My friend always treats everyone like that, with what I would call "old fashioned courtesy." It's a breath of fresh air, especially coming from a Gen Z kid.
I was in line to pay at a Goodwill store. The man behind me had only one item. I told him to go ahead of me in the line to pay. He said, "that's nice of you". I said, "well, it's only fair, right?" When I was at the cashier, she told me that the man who I let go ahead of me is giving $5 to help pay for my items. I said to the cashier, "wow, I didn't expect anything in return. How nice."
I have two kind actions in one story! So Senior year Prom... before the dance started, my boyfriend and I went to a fancy restaurant for dinner. There were also three other girls in our group so there were five of us total. We were dressed up in fancy gowns and my boyfriend was wearing a tuxedo. We enjoyed our dinner and were fully expecting a bill over $100. When we asked for the check, our waiter said "An older couple paid for your entire meal." We were all shocked. We wanted to thank the nice couple so we inquired. The waitress just said the man was wearing a red shirt. I looked around the dining room and happened to see my high school swim coach - wearing a red shirt! I went over to him and asked if he had paid for our meal. His response was "No I didn't, but I'd be happy to pay!" He immediately pulled out his wallet. I stopped him and explained the situation. We never did find the nice older couple who had paid for our meal.
It was wonderful to experience not only the kindness from the first couple who paid for our meal, but also the kindness and willingness of my coach to offer to pay. It made the night unforgettable.
My boss was wanting to meet someone who was an artist and woodworker to introduce his daughter to them so she could learn something she thought might be interesting and he thought might be profitable. So I called an ex of mine and had him call his friend that I knew was exactly who my boss needed to introduce his daughter to and after my boss met the guy he offered him a 50,000 square foot warehouse to set up his woodworking shop and art studio in - for free.
After the guy set up his new free shop in the massive warehouse my wealthy boss gave him to play in I had a small crisis. As in, my family suddenly decided to sell the family farm that I lived at and was the sole caretaker of - a property that has been in my family for 120 years. This was right at the beginning of the housing crisis when homes suddenly tripled in price and I was suddenly scrambling to find an affordable place in a short amount of time and every home I found was at least $35,000 out of my price range.
So the guy surprises me out of nowhere with a 37 foot long fifth wheel camper that he was halfway through renovating and gives it to me for free because he knew I was worried I wouldn't find a house in my price range.
I finished renovating the fifth wheel and largely in part due to the housing market skyrocketing, its now worth about $40,000 and if I sell it then I will have enough to buy a house. And that wouldn't be possible for me if he hadn't given me the luxury fifth wheel.
But I guess I networked him into getting a free shop so we are even. :) Thank God for help from unexpected places though, right? #PayingItForward #GodWorksInMysteriousWays
Few months back my bike ran out of gas. Gas station was 4-5km away. I was pushing my bike. It was around 7 pm. Guy on another bike came & helped me push the bike to gas station. Looked like he was returning from work. I still wonder why he helped. Kind soul
I was at a baseball game and forgot money for food and I can't fit it. comments
K so I forgot money and my crush (who is on the team) came up to me after his game and asked me if I wanted something from concessions. I thanked him for asking but told him that I forgot my wallet, he said he could pay, I declined again. He said ok before leaving. Ten minutes later he came back with a smoothie and chips for me, and the same for himself. He sat down next to me and watched the highschool game with me (my brothers team, also it was just my bro and me together before he got to play)
This was a kid in my band class a while back, let's call him L. I was told by the teacher to play a certain part, and I was kinda nervous. L could be a butt sometimes, but he was kinda nice at heart. We weren't really friends, but we could joke together. He could see I was nervous, so he scooted next to me and was like "I'll give you moral support." I never expected this from him.
When I was going through an extremely difficult time and went to the store with emergency food vouchers and I felt so alone and humiliated and the cashier lady shut her till down to help me get the most bang for my buck and walked through the store with me telling me everything would get better soon. It took a few years but things did get better and that kindness I wi never forget.
On New Years Eve this year, a girl I sit next to in a class that I occasionally talk to(we are both introverted) texted me and thanked me for being in her life. Basically, it said that I was a great person who makes her life a little happier for being in it. I don’t really know her that well, so I was surprised, but it made me feel really good. I am kind of a lonely person even among friends and often feel unwanted, so it felt really good when she told me that she liked having me around. I made sure to thank her and let her know that my life is also a little bit happier because of her.
