I had an early morning flight so I found myself having breakfast at TGIF at DFW airport. As I looked up I noticed two people at the table next to me engaged in a conversation while they were enjoying their breakfast. I also noticed they are in the military and one of the gentlemen’s last name was Kidder. As I was handed my check I noticed they asked for theirs at the same time and the server had mentioned that their check was taken care of by another guest. They were thankful, quite surprised and very appreciative that someone anonymously had done that.
Clearly that was a great kind gesture.
It got me to think about the times that I have done something nice or paid for something for a total stranger. Here are a few things I came up with.
Recently, I brought a total stranger into the Admiral’s Club. I had been flying back to Dallas, and sat next to a person on the plane who was elderly and very sweet. He had a two hour layover. Even though Dallas was my destination, I walked him into the club.
About a year ago, I was at the register and someone didn’t have enough money and I offered to pay for them. It was only about seven dollars but I thought it was the right thing to do.
About two months ago I was getting my shoes shined in NY and started to chat with the guy sitting next to me. After I was done and said good bye to the shoe shine guy and the man, I said to him, "I enjoyed speaking with you and your shine is on me."
- When was the last time you did something nice for a total stranger?
- Did you ever buy a stranger anything?
- Have you ever treated the military to a free meal?
I look forward to reading your comments.
Fee Sepahi says:
Hi Merrill,
Thanks for the reminder, as I used to do this a great deal, especially paying the turnpike toll for the pretty lady in the car behind me, back before there was EZ Pass…:-)
The last time I recall doing this was about two years ago, on a flight to CA when I was bumped up to 1st class. A service person walked by through 1st class heading to the back of the plane, I asked the flight attendant if I could switch seats with the service person and she did.
The service person was acknowledged over the public address system and I, though not wanting or expecting it, the flight attendant insured that I got upgraded to 1st class on my return trip, which was unexpected. They also handed me a voucher for a few hundred dollars discount on my next booking.
I truly did not do the deed for all that happened in the aftermath, but I do believe in the “pass it forward” concept.
Thank you again for reminding me to participate in a benevolent manner. It’s easy to get wrapped up in the day to day, fending off street vagrants and being jaded over the welfare system.
All the best,
Fee
Christine Cook says:
Today! I was at the light and gave a homeless person a $5 bill and a “pay it forward card”. Last week I paid the $60 tab for the Business Marketing Associations Auction meeting. I have picked up the kids stuff in line behind me at the grocery store or the person short a few bucks on many occasions. Giving back is very important.
Tomorrow night I am chairing a big auction in which INGATHER donated $1K to the homeless for the winning Chef…food theme…three Chef’s, three homeless charities with a cook off with attendees voting on the best pasta. Venue providing the pasta and three Chefs’ are donating their time and the sauce. $1K goes to the first place winner, $500 for 2nd place and $250 for 3rd place…no one loses in a great time of need. I would also like share how great a research community we have in Denver. Fieldwork Denver is the 2nd place charity donor and TAi Denver is donating their time and talent to handle the audience voting and tabbing.
We also use INGATHER as a vehicle to help others. If we do a big taste test we theme it to give back. Example a cookie taste test with kids…we let the parents know that they can bring in a toy (new or one their kids have outgrown) to the test to donate. We let them know this during recruiting and also in our confirmation letters. We had a big box there to collect them and then passed them on to kids in need. Another test we collected sweaters. There is so much you can do to give back and make a difference. We are actually starting a 401C3 called “All in Need”. It will be http://www.allinneed.org. If we do a pet food study we can let respondents know they can bring a toy or can of food for the Humane Society. It is not limited to one group in need and we can help many people, places and causes in our community.
If anyone would like “Pay it Forward” cards, let me know and I will send you some. I carry these on me at all times. On the front side it says “Pay it Forward” and on the back side it says “You have just received a random act of kindness and are requested to do a kindness for someone you do know”.
Happy Holidays,
Christine
Ed Sugar says:
Thanks Merrill for this post.
Since it is the week before Thanksgiving I would like to alert everyone that your local food bank desperately needs your assistance this holiday season. Overall, donations to food banks are down about 30% this year, while demand has increased by 50%.
Please donate whatever non-perishable goods you can, especially peanut butter, tuna fish, dried beans and rice. If you can give money remember that $25 can feed a family of four for almost a week.
I urge everyone to help a stranger by lending a hand, a can or a buck or two to your local food bank.
Magda Ayoub Cooling says:
I apologize for not staying current with your Blog… I’d like to jump behind Ed’s post here by letting all your Followers know my Daughter’s Junior Girl Scout Troop is working on their Bronze Award (Community Service Project). They are collecting BOOKS for our local Food Bank. Yesterday we sorted (and counted) all 743 Books that our 8 Girls collected in just 2 months. They will be delivered today. The Food Bank is offering age appropriate books to their Families they are helping. Our Girls are reaching out to their neighbors, families, school friends, churches, sport team members and total strangers. The Girls feel good about helping others. Our Troop is serving food at a low income adult community center this week too. Doesn’t take money to help out where needed.
Mirjana Popovich says:
At least once a month I do one of the following:
Pay for the person behind me in the drive thru line
Pay for the person behind me in a parking garage
Pay for someone’s meal plus tip (usually an elderly couple) in a casual dining restaurant without identifying myself (waitresses are very willing to take care of this)
Take cookies, candy, deli tray, etc. to fire or police department in my community.
Many people donate during the holidays. We should remember to “do good” throughout the year. Little gestures can mean a lot.
Sheri Hayes says:
Last weekend my husband and I were at the movie theatre. We had a few free passes that were going to expire that day so, I took them all with me with the intention of handing the leftover pass to some lucky person standing in line with us. As we were waiting in line there was a mother with her 2 children and they didn’t have enough money to pay for all three to get in. The person behind us was getting very upset that they were holding up the line and made a few loud and nasty comments. So, I walked over to her and gave her all the free passes. The person behind me made several comments under his breath about it but, I know I did the right thing, I feel like those passes were meant for her and her children that day!
Connie Ruben says:
Merrill,
I think we should remember it’s not just paying for something that counts as doing something nice. Sometimes it’s the smallest of things that make the biggest difference. An example I can share happened last week in a grocery store parking lot. As I was leaving, I notice a lady struggling to get out of her car. She was elderly and was having trouble with balance. All i did was get a shopping cart and walk it over to her so she could use it for balance, something I do all of the time for my mother in law. She was so very grateful that I noticed, but beyond that, there were two ladies who had witnessed what I did. One made a comment to the other saying “did you see what that lady did? i should be more aware of my surroundings”. I felt that several people won that day and I was only one. It’s not just what we give, but how we live.
thanks for the reminder.