Random Acts of Kindness

[Michie]

I was just looking at the thread for sending flowers to the gay couples waiting to be married in CA, and I was thinking about how much I love hearing about Random Acts of Kindness. I thought it would be great to start a thread where people could post their RAKs. :)

I once read in a magazine to carry small candy canes at Christmas time to give to crazed cashiers. I almost did that this past year, but was afraid people would think I was nuts. I've got to get over that what other people think!

So, anyone have any RAKs to share??

[Calyx]

I ALWAYS give money to the panhandlers. This drives my DH nuts, but for me it's in good faith.

And around Yule, I was shopping and I overheard two of the shopgirls talking. One was telling the other about a really rude customer and how this customer threw a fit on her, then complained to her manager about how not helpful she was, and that the manager now wanted to fire her, blah blah blah. What got me interested was the fact that this girl was in tears and saying that she reeaaallly needed this job, but didn't know what to do, her daughter depended on her and they needed the money, etc. So, when I checked out, I told the manager that this girl had helped me and was fabulous and I wouldn't have made the purchase without her. I filled out a customer comment card and raved about her service.

While I don't know what happened to her, I would like to think that everything worked out for her.

That's some of *my* random acts of kindness... :)

[Juniecat]

My random acts of kindness rather frequently involve buying things for people. Any time I see something that really makes me think of someone, I pick it up and give it to them just because. (I'm sort of a gift giver by nature...around Christmastime I've had lots of people tell me that they feel bad because I always give such great gifts and they don't think they did as well, but part of this comes from the fact that I don't "shop" for anybody, I only buy someone something if that thing really speaks to me). I'll buy flowers for friends if they're down. If I know my best friend is working a 12 hour day, I'll stop by Subway and bring sandwiches to her work and we'll eat in her office. I'll look for things for people on ebay just because.

Oh...and I do go out of my way to be really really nice to sales clerks, especially when they seem frazzled and busy. Been there, done that, had people yell at me when it wasn't my fault. As long as they're friendly and really seem to be trying to do their job, I think it pays to be nice to them. I really like the candy idea...I think I'll do that this Christmas/Yule time.

[Joshua]

That is the coolest thing I've heard all day!


I ALWAYS give money to the panhandlers. This drives my DH nuts, but for me it's in good faith.

And around Yule, I was shopping and I overheard two of the shopgirls talking. One was telling the other about a really rude customer and how this customer threw a fit on her, then complained to her manager about how not helpful she was, and that the manager now wanted to fire her, blah blah blah. What got me interested was the fact that this girl was in tears and saying that she reeaaallly needed this job, but didn't know what to do, her daughter depended on her and they needed the money, etc. So, when I checked out, I told the manager that this girl had helped me and was fabulous and I wouldn't have made the purchase without her. I filled out a customer comment card and raved about her service.

While I don't know what happened to her, I would like to think that everything worked out for her.

That's some of *my* random acts of kindness... :)

[Hoot]

Michie and Juniecat, I like the idea of giving sales clerks something during the holidays, too - those really are hard days for them.

And it's amazing what a friendly smile can do for people. Just today one of the apartment managers told me no one had smiled at her all day, and so I was glad such a little thing that's so easy to do could make her feel better.

I don't think you have to spend a lot, or do much more than help someone out when you see they can use a hand or two.

[LadyOak]

This last Yule I made some cards and put them on the cloths of the best customers. I had a ball doing that! One of my customers brought a fridge magnet back from Holland for me. I still grin like a fool.

[Michie]

Hoot - I had the same experience once. I was at some event and I smiled at a woman and she said, "You are the first one to smile all day." It amazed me then how something so small could make such a difference. That has always stuck with me.

Junie - I love gift giving too. I get obsessed (hmmm, maybe I need to go back and add this to the what am I obsessed with thread) about finding the right things for people. I've had people open gifts from me and say, "Wow, Michelle puts thought into her gifts." That amazes me. I thought everyone did that?

I would love to give more little gifts "just because" but money is tight. I do like to send ecards though if I think someone I know might need a smile. :)

I've also really gotten into poking karma since I found this board! :lol:

[Michie]

*bump*

[Celticscryer]

I often do little Random Acts of Kindness. I often pick up coffee on my way to work for the rest of the group, or a box of Krispy Kreme's (:dinnertim ).

I am also a big proponant of "Just Because" gifts, even when I know I can't afford to spend the money on them! I just feel so good when I see something that I know someone will love, and they really do! I don't know anyone who puts as much thought into presents as I do (in real life, that is!).

[DayDreamer]

Yesterday I was in the checkout lane at a grocery store, and it was an absolute ZOO in there.

The cashier commented on the Mountain Dew I was buying and asked if I wanted it in a bag. I told her no, I wasn't drinking it (I hate the stuff) - I was taking it home. She said that at that point, she would have been drinking it even though she hates the stuff too.... she was obviously exhausted, hot, thirsty, etc. and had a HUGE line of people behind me.

As she was bagging the groceries, I went back to the end cap of her station and got a bottled water. When she came back, I paid for it and then handed it to HER to drink.

I thought she was going to cry.

[Rina]

Last week I'd made a batch of chocolate cakes, and I was on the tram taking them to my boyfriend's parents.
The tram got held up at a stop, and this little lad of about 3, at that really wriggly age was getting bored in his buggy.
We waited for a while, and the kid was still squirming and grizzling at his Mum, so I opened my box of cakes and asked whether she'd like one to give to her son.
I've never seen a kid spread chocolate cake across his face quite so fast!

[violet]

hey :)
this thread is almost an act in itself, making us smile and giving us ideas! well to me anyway
im really into random acts of kindness, and especially those which make people wonder, sometimes referred to as glamourbombs
http://www.eristic.net/fey/glamourbombs.html
for those who've never heard the term.

theres a wonderful community on livejournal for them

its all about spreading magic, not necesserily happy smily things, but magic all the same :)

[Sylvan]

I've gotten into the habit of tossing my pocket change on the ground in parking lots when I exit stores. You know how excited some people can get to find a dime... I figure a) Maybe I'm making somebody's day by doing this, b) Maybe it'll be a sort of sympathetic magick- give away a little, get back alot (happiness or money.. ;) ), c) The Universe will reciprocate and I'll be able to find a quarter on the ground when I *really need* one...

It drives my hubby crazy when I do this so I only do it if *I've* paid for stuff. If he's given me his money to buy it, I give him back his change.

[Michie]

I love all the RAKs - they are making me smile. They are also making me go a little nutty with karma points...for the first time I don't have any more! I'll have to get the rest of you when I'm "recharged!" :lol:

[asamananara]

I sometimes troll for hitch-hikers... there are alot of long
empty stretches of road around here, winding through some fairly
intimidating terrain- many people find themselves stranded in
unfamiliar and potentially dangerous places, so I often drive
around looking for anyone who might want a lift... and then
take them where they want to go, no strings attached. There
are some pretty interesting people out there, wandering the
lonely roads.

[Hoot]

Be careful asa...

[Copperaven]

I once read in a magazine to carry small candy canes at Christmas time to give to crazed cashiers. I almost did that this past year, but was afraid people would think I was nuts. I've got to get over that what other people think thing!

So, anyone have any RAKs to share??

hubby and I do this every year, it is amazing how a simple thing like a candy cane can change someones day, and don't worry about what other people think, yeah we get some strange looks, but I just turn around and give them one as well

[Hoot]

Here's a really good idea that's an easy thing to do, and most of us can afford, from the CF Great Strides thread:


Can't each one of our 8000+ members each spare a buck...to help someone in need?

http://www.mysticwicks.com/showthread.php?t=44165

[Muireannach]

I only do acts of kindness to those who I see deserving like the elderly, children, disabled, single moms, and so on.

I've wasted to much time giving "kindness" to ingrates who deserve nothing. They do better without acts of kindness so they can see what their attitude gives them.

I complemented a janitor on keeping my workplace clean, why? because she does her job well, doesn't gripe, and takes her wages to her kids for their education. She was delighted and deserved the compliment.

I don't give money to panhandlers personally, the ones I see are able-bodied and of sound mind and don't even attempt to go and get help from the many services the government and social groups provide. Why should I gien them money that will fuel a drug habit?

That's my 2 cents.

[ambermystique]

It may not seem like much...

Plus, it wasn't me that did it. :)

My mother is a daily, if not hourly, random act of kindness giver.

She works as a receptionist in the outpatient rehab (physical therapy, not alcohol or drugs) center of a hospital. She comes in contact with all kinds of people every single day.

Yesterday, she helped an elderly woman by going downstairs and getting her a soda, so that the woman didn't have to walk down the stairs.

Also, yesterday morning, she had a patient come in at 8:30am, when her appointment wasn't until 1:30pm. The woman had to take the bus because she doesn't drive. She was dirty and was talking very rapidly. She was in the waiting room, and my mother could hear her stomach growling. My mother sent one of the high school workers downstairs to the cafeteria with some money to get her breakfast. Then she made sure that the woman had her appointment changed to 9:00am, so that she wouldn't have to wait around for hours.

My mother does things like this constantly. She is constantly thinking of the less fortunate, even though we have very hard times making ends meet. :halohead:

bb,
amber

[Michie]

Copperaven, I am excited to "hear" from someone who hands out candy canes! I was wondering how well it was received. I'm going to have to make that a goal for this year. This year I am trying to do more RAKs - even little things like sending out cards to friends and whatnot. Just trying to send smiles. That's my goal for this year. :)

Asa - please be VERY careful picking up hitch hickers. I know you want to do a good thing, but it could also put you in a dangerous position.

ambermystique - your mom sounds like a lovely lady. :) I'm sending out Random Acts of Karma Points vibes for her! :)

[violet]

meep...youre all so kind, heh heh, i really like doing silly little things like this,
working in a coffee shop was a great oppurtunity for them. the loveheart sprinkle stencil was fun too. <3

on my second day of posting here at MW, ive been dumped. i need to go do some RAKs...

[Juniecat]

It's amazing how such small things can do so much to pick people up...it's nice to know that sometimes just a little kindness can make somebody's day. I love hearing about these....

[GypsyGirl]

i always try to do little things that i know help people out at work. it's just the natural thing to do. i'll get rid of somebody's cardboard, take the trash out of the boxes of freight, move the carts that they always put in front of my friend's area. things that you'd think more people would do more often.

and probably at least once a month, i bake cookies or brownies (i love baking) and bring those in and share with everybody. i like making people smile :p

[violet]

baking just RULES :D
ive just got a nice new book all about it too.
ive been names cheif cookie maker amongst my friends, giving someone brownies or cookies really does tend to make em smile.

[Michie]

Ah, Violet, I think your signature line should say, "Cheif Cookie Maker! :lol: I love hearing about all of these RAKs. It has been making me try to think of new ideas.

Somewhere I have a bumper sticker that says, "Practice Random Acts of Kindness and Sensless Displays of Beauty." Something along those lines. I should see if I can find it and display it somewhere. :)

[violet]

heh heh, i may well do that. need to get me a sig of some sort
cookies help a lot when youre down, but today it was pancakes. tis the season ;)

heres an extract from the livejournal glamourbombs community,
( http://www.livejournal.com/community/glamourbombs/ ) lots of idas and inspiration here

about that very bumper sticker :
http://www.livejournal.com/community/glamourbombs/469700.html
hope you can see it.
:D

[Michie]

'Tis the season for Pancakes? What season is that? :)

I couldn't see either of the links. :(

[violet]

aw, well ive edited the first link and you should all be able to see that.

in england we have Pancake Day or Shrove Tuesday, which was yesterday. (its a christian thing, but a very good excuse to make lotsa pancakes)
mm maple syrup...

[Tzhebee]

I make it a point to complement people at "Customer Service" over the phones. If they do a really good job, I ask for their supervisor and let them know also.

My only ongoing RAK (if you can call it that) is to clean out my mom's spam e-mail. She's on dial-up and never has enough time to get through the mess to the really important e-mails. With us in WA, her parents in NC and her sister in Aussie, e-mail is the best way to communicate. So I sneak in about once a week and delete all her Spam for her. She thinks her e-mail provider got some kind of Spam blocker that is working much better now. lol

[violet]

hehe nice idea :)
i did that for a while so someones account didnt get closed for being oversized.

[redthewitch75]

If one of my customers doesn't have enough money for their purchase, I sometimes pay the difference. Or, if we run out of newspapers and I have one, I will let someone have it.

[KestrelsFlight]

Ive one..That I am hoping some others who also have little can relate to. A stranger made a horribly embarrassing situation a very strong learning experience.
One Afternoon my 3 year old and were standing in line, in front of us stood an elderly asian man. He was very wrinkled and bent, his head shook with palsy. we smiled at one another when I came in line. (keep in mind in this telling, that we live in a small northern town, other than a grand total of about 10 families most here are white or native american) After a moment, after staring for a moment my son said to him. " Your awful ugly!"
My jaw dropped, and I stuttered but before I could say a thing this man knelt down eye level with my son and smiled. "I think that you mean different" he said, very slowly. "this language was new to me once too." He took my sons hand and placed on his cheek, they both laughed. I was so grateful, my eyes actually welled and this little massive man smiled at me and then brought up the weather.
This happened awhole ago, when we cross paths we still beam at one another, this man and I. He took all of 60 seconds to decide to teach rather than be offended. I will always be grateful because I never could have done such a grand job on such short notice.
Kes

[violet]

:)
that story made me tingle. what an amazing thing!
ah this thread is giving me faith in humankind...

[Copperaven]

[color=blue]Copperaven, I am excited to "hear" from someone who hands out candy canes! I was wondering how well it was received. I'm going to have to make that a goal for this year. This year I am trying to do more RAKs - even little things like sending out cards to friends and whatnot. Just trying to send smiles. That's my goal for this year. :)

it is amazing how something so simple can change someones day so completely, the best ones are the people that will try to pay you for it and walk away with a smile when you won't let them

[Michie]

*bump*