Basic Human Kindness

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 10/2/08 at 7:52am

Updated On: 10/2/08 at 07:52 AM

[Weez]

Posted: 10/2/08 at 7:57am

I appear to be having a cynical day today; I'm coming at this one from the angle of "people have never seen anything like this before? What the hell is the world coming to that such a simple (although yes, wonderful) act is such a rarity?". I'm welling up just reading about it, and it is mostly because it was a nice thing to do and obviously meant a lot to the recipient, but there's a bitter under-sting that more people don't do this more often.

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 10/2/08 at 8:02am

Updated On: 10/2/08 at 08:02 AM

[StockardFan]

Posted: 10/2/08 at 8:35am

That is a very sweet story......

It got me a little teary as well.

[StageManager2]

Posted: 10/2/08 at 8:54am

That's an inspiring story, Dottie. I try to perform random acts of kindness whenever I can. Some people react suspiciously, like I have an ulterior motive, but overall people are gracious. Kudos to the kind stranger!

[Jane2]

Posted: 10/2/08 at 10:13am

Dottie, the minute I read that the guy showed the cashier $2, I welled up. Anything to do with the elderly gets me in my heart. I'm so glad the other guy helped him out. If I were there, I'd have to do the same.

I can't stand to see the elderly mistreated at the theater, which happens a lot.

[Chevstriss]

Posted: 10/2/08 at 10:34am

maybe it's different in the deep south, but I've seen it often. But it's usually a back woods mom with barefoot kids clinging to her that comes up short on her WIC stamps, or the kids are crying for something that WIC disallows. A soccer mom will usually pony up the change. I've seen it given to the elderly as well.

[Jane2]

Posted: 10/2/08 at 10:47am

Living in NY, you're constantly barraged by people asking for money everywhere you go. You find that you're annoyed by most of them, as I am. But if there's an elderly person in trouble, I give immediately.

[tazber]

Posted: 10/2/08 at 11:16am

I see it fairly often as well.
Weez, consider that some people may not want to offer b/c it could possibly cause embarrassment to the person who needs the money.
I don't think anyone who sees something like this happen feels nothing, but people act on these things based on their own frame of reference.
Perhaps the person who does not help out would themselves be mortified to end up in that situation and would just hope no one noticed.

Having said that, I don't there is one single poster on here who wouldn't lend a hand in a heartbeat.

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 10/2/08 at 11:20am

Updated On: 10/2/08 at 11:20 AM

[KrissySim]

Posted: 10/2/08 at 11:29am

You are right about larger city, but in the small town where I've been living recently I've seen that a lot. It's a fairly well-to-do community and often when someone sees a teenager or an obviously poor person struggling to find enough change or telling the cashier to put something back, someone in line will cover it.

I've seen people offer to pay just to keep the line moving, too. But there is still generosity underneath that.

[Jane2]

Posted: 10/2/08 at 11:31am

Dottie, exactly! I once saw an old man in a wheel chair on a street corner. He had to have been around 90, and was nearly crying in his fear, or grief, or pain, or whatever. The thing that really got me was he looked like my father. I gave him money, but the image of him in his need and sorrow stayed with me for a long time. I still feel it.

[KrissySim]

Posted: 10/2/08 at 11:47am

btw Would you mind saying what city you live in? Bread where I live is now $6. a loaf.

[BkCollector]

Posted: 10/2/08 at 11:51am

"Living in NY, you're constantly barraged by people asking for money everywhere you go. You find that you're annoyed by most of them, as I am."

Wow, Jane. Thanks for showing us what a cold-hearted B*tch you really are. Every time you post I shudder to think that somewhere you are teaching children....

[Borstalboy]

Posted: 10/2/08 at 11:52am

Speaking of kindness....here's BKCollector!!

[Q]

Posted: 10/2/08 at 12:10pm

"Despite everything, I believe that people are really good at heart." - Anne Frank

[JohnBoy2]

Posted: 10/2/08 at 12:15pm

Nothing new. I remember, years ago, when the National Enquirer headline screamed: I paid Tipi Hederen's Grocery Bill.

[Marianne2]

Posted: 10/2/08 at 12:21pm

Nice story. :) I live in a small town/area too, and I rarely ever see anything like this. And it is a bit true about the city. There are just so many people out begging on the street, and sadly, you have no idea what they really are using your money for. That's why I am always reluctant or just ignore them. But, in this case, it is different since the guy was actually buying worth while items.

And the sad thing is, going into the city about once a month or a little more often sometimes, I am starting to recognize some of the same people out on the streets. So yeah, I do feel bad for them, but again, you just have no idea what they really want the money for.

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 10/2/08 at 12:23pm

"Living in NY, you're constantly barraged by people asking for money everywhere you go. You find that you're annoyed by most of them, as I am."

Wow, Jane. Thanks for showing us what a cold-hearted B*tch you really are. Every time you post I shudder to think that somewhere you are teaching children....

Oh, rot. I feel for the plight of pepole in dire circumstances, and try to help when I can, but it doesn't change that fact that many (and in my city, I'd say most I encounter) are downright nasty. I've been chased down the street by homeless people, cursed at on the bus by them, called names, etc. And yet, I STILL try to assist when I can. It doesn't change the fact that most of them annoy the living hell out of me.

[Borstalboy]

Posted: 10/2/08 at 12:25pm

I'm not sure giving change to the homeless is kindness as much as it is guilt. Not the same thing. And you think the homeless problem is bad here? Try Seattle on fer size!

[Jane2]

Posted: 10/2/08 at 12:27pm

Wow, Jane. Thanks for showing us what a cold-hearted B*tch you really are.

You are very, very welcome!

" Every time you post I shudder to think that somewhere you are teaching children"

Here's a sweater, toots.

ETA-It's frightening when you see how many crazies are on this board.

Updated On: 10/2/08 at 12:27 PM

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 10/2/08 at 12:30pm

I'm not sure giving change to the homeless is kindness as much as it is guilt

Fair enough, but assistance is assistance regardless of motive.

I was talking about Chicago's homeless population, which is where I had the batsh*t woman come barreling straight at me with a shopping cart two days after I had a guy follow after me for five blocks screeching "I just want a quarter sir!"

San Francisco has a huge, unavoidable homeless population, but I've always found them to be polite.

Mainly, I was just saying that I don't think it makes Jane a cold hearted bitch because she said it becomes an annoyonce after a while.

[Borstalboy]

Posted: 10/2/08 at 12:32pm

Let it be record: JANE2 IS NOT A COLDHEARTED BITCH.

>gavel slam<

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 10/2/08 at 12:34pm

At least not for this reason.



(Kidding!)

[Jane2]

Posted: 10/2/08 at 12:38pm

Thanks, Phyllis.

I'm sure most everyone who read my post "got it." I stand by what I said-when you are on the subway, and a group of people get on and start playing bongo drums quite loudly, and then pass the cup around-THAT IS ANNOYING TO ME. . There are other instances similar to those I mentioned and those who live in NY can relate.

I am not talking about the poor, homeless, elderly, sick, needy people out there.

What BK says or thinks means nothing to me, but for those sane people. I wanted to clarify.



There's a reason why soliciting on the subways is illegal. It is a quality of life issue.