kept an eye out for ways to be randomly helpful (opening a car door, returning a cart, etc.)

This is so much better. This is reasonable
This silly paying for someone else and being proud you, paid it forward
oh, "yay YOU!"

I like things like this as a kind gesture, especially if they notice that the person looks like they could use a little pick me up. Glad it boosted your mood!

I do not like "pay it forward". I just want a coffee, not a girl scouts community kindness assignment. I find people who say that see themselves above other people and it really bothers me that they seem to feel so saintly doing this. Plus some people are in grief spirals or in difficult times for long periods of time.

So glad they could cheer you up. Thanks for sharing.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP if you cannot afford coffee, make it at home.

She couldn’t understand a random act of kindness because it never occurred to her to offer one.

Anonymous wrote:OP if you cannot afford coffee, make it at home.

It is not all about money for some people. Why are so many people on DCUM incapable of imagining that

Anonymous wrote:OP if you cannot afford coffee, make it at home.

Nowhere did OP mention not anything about finances.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I find any pay-it-forward with ordering/paying very odd and I do not welcome it. I do not think better of the person. I would rather they just act normal. I'm pleasant enough for where I am and what I'm doing.

Suggestion: If somebody pays it forward to you just say, please do it for the next person.

Thank you for attending my TED talk.

When you are "that" person (who gets the benefit when you are emotionally drained or whatever), it's OK to not pass it to the next person.

I was that person once. My parent was in the process of dying in the hospital. The person in front of me (in the hospital cafeteria) had "gotten my coffee". I started sobbing in the line when the cashier said it.

That was 10 years ago and have tears in my eyes now just thinking of their act of kindness.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s nice that someone did that for you, OP

Too much negative in the world right now

Even small spots of light are worth posting

Just understand that there are plenty of accounts here who will be only too happy to tell you the kitten you rescued probably has fleas or something. If they can’t make any other argument they’ll just try to make you feel bad, even about a coffee.

OP here. You got the point of my post. Unexpected kindness is so rare in a world that is getting dark and mean!

I agree. I've always kept an eye out for ways to be randomly helpful (opening a car door, returning a cart, etc.) and I try to pay compliments to people when I mean them and it's not obtrusive. It really does make life nicer when people are kind to each other, and small bonuses like OP got make it even better.

Anonymous wrote:OP if you cannot afford coffee, make it at home.

You missed the point. Jeez.

Just a “small” dose of generosity can make a world of difference to another person……especially one not having a good day.

I ❤️ reading inspiring stories like this❣️