The kindness of strangers....

[Goshin]

I am not, in general, someone who trusts in strangers or expects much of them. One could say I view humanity in general with typically low expectations... something that following the news and politics tends to feed.

While I was working today at someone else's home, I had a blood sugar drop-out (really shouldn't skip breakfast) and was in rather a bad way for a little while. The gentleman and lady of the house were VERY kind to me, helped me to a chair in the shade, insisted I rest a while, brought me orange juice and cookies to revive me, and were generally most solicitous of my well being, to a degree one does not typically expect of strangers.
When I tried to apologize for the bother, they would not hear of it and insisted I rest as long as necessary, and offered further aid if I needed it. They were VERY kindly and genuine in their concern.
I was quite moved by their kindness and courtesy and wished to share this story, as a counterpoint to all the madness in the news.

These days we rarely speak of what it is to be a "gentleman" or a "gracious lady"... I tell you these folks exemplified these traits to me this day. Mister and his wife were most gentle and kindly to me, and combined it with a courtesy and genuine concern that put me at ease.


For so long as I remember their kindness, I will ask God's blessings on them in prayer, and if I ever see them in need they will have any service I can perform them for the asking.
Those of us who follow the news may sometimes wonder if decency has departed from the human race... but today I bear witness that human decency yet lives.


Indeed, in some folks, it still flourishes in an abundance... God bless them.

 

[Dragonfly]

It's funny, the looks I get when I say "Yes Sir" or "Yes Ma'am"....some people are openly shocked to hear something so simple.

When a total stranger goes out of their way to be helpful and nice, it is truly refreshing.

 

[eohrnberger]

I am not, in general, someone who trusts in strangers or expects much of them. One could say I view humanity in general with typically low expectations... something that following the news and politics tends to feed.

While I was working today at someone else's home, I had a blood sugar drop-out (really shouldn't skip breakfast) and was in rather a bad way for a little while. The gentleman and lady of the house were VERY kind to me, helped me to a chair in the shade, insisted I rest a while, brought me orange juice and cookies to revive me, and were generally most solicitous of my well being, to a degree one does not typically expect of strangers.
When I tried to apologize for the bother, they would not hear of it and insisted I rest as long as necessary, and offered further aid if I needed it. They were VERY kindly and genuine in their concern.
I was quite moved by their kindness and courtesy and wished to share this story, as a counterpoint to all the madness in the news.

These days we rarely speak of what it is to be a "gentleman" or a "gracious lady"... I tell you these folks exemplified these traits to me this day. Mister and his wife were most gentle and kindly to me, and combined it with a courtesy and genuine concern that put me at ease.


For so long as I remember their kindness, I will ask God's blessings on them in prayer, and if I ever see them in need they will have any service I can perform them for the asking.
Those of us who follow the news may sometimes wonder if decency has departed from the human race... but today I bear witness that human decency yet lives.


Indeed, in some folks, it still flourishes in an abundance... God bless them.

Certainly glad that you happen to cross paths with such folks and that it happened to coincide with your immediate need; that they knew what was the correct administrations, and that all is well in the end.

Sure glad to hear that there's some of that still around these days. Be well.

 

[Mr. Invisible]

I am not, in general, someone who trusts in strangers or expects much of them. One could say I view humanity in general with typically low expectations... something that following the news and politics tends to feed.

While I was working today at someone else's home, I had a blood sugar drop-out (really shouldn't skip breakfast) and was in rather a bad way for a little while. The gentleman and lady of the house were VERY kind to me, helped me to a chair in the shade, insisted I rest a while, brought me orange juice and cookies to revive me, and were generally most solicitous of my well being, to a degree one does not typically expect of strangers.
When I tried to apologize for the bother, they would not hear of it and insisted I rest as long as necessary, and offered further aid if I needed it. They were VERY kindly and genuine in their concern.
I was quite moved by their kindness and courtesy and wished to share this story, as a counterpoint to all the madness in the news.

These days we rarely speak of what it is to be a "gentleman" or a "gracious lady"... I tell you these folks exemplified these traits to me this day. Mister and his wife were most gentle and kindly to me, and combined it with a courtesy and genuine concern that put me at ease.


For so long as I remember their kindness, I will ask God's blessings on them in prayer, and if I ever see them in need they will have any service I can perform them for the asking.
Those of us who follow the news may sometimes wonder if decency has departed from the human race... but today I bear witness that human decency yet lives.


Indeed, in some folks, it still flourishes in an abundance... God bless them.

There are always good people around. You just have to look for them, or better yet, be one of them

 

[Goshin]

There are always good people around. You just have to look for them, or better yet, be one of them

I try to be. As my Dad used to say, "Some things can't be paid back... all you can do is pay them forward."

 

[Crovax]

It's funny, the looks I get when I say "Yes Sir" or "Yes Ma'am"....some people are openly shocked to hear something so simple.

"Location: East Coast - USA"

Well there's your problem.

It's still very common down here.

 

[Goshin]

"Location: East Coast - USA"

Well there's your problem.

It's still very common down here.

True, but I have to say (because it is a fact)... these folks were immigrant Yankees.


They'd been here for 20 years but were from somewhere New-England-ish.

 

[Harry Guerrilla]

I am not, in general, someone who trusts in strangers or expects much of them. One could say I view humanity in general with typically low expectations... something that following the news and politics tends to feed.

While I was working today at someone else's home, I had a blood sugar drop-out (really shouldn't skip breakfast) and was in rather a bad way for a little while. The gentleman and lady of the house were VERY kind to me, helped me to a chair in the shade, insisted I rest a while, brought me orange juice and cookies to revive me, and were generally most solicitous of my well being, to a degree one does not typically expect of strangers.
When I tried to apologize for the bother, they would not hear of it and insisted I rest as long as necessary, and offered further aid if I needed it. They were VERY kindly and genuine in their concern.
I was quite moved by their kindness and courtesy and wished to share this story, as a counterpoint to all the madness in the news.

These days we rarely speak of what it is to be a "gentleman" or a "gracious lady"... I tell you these folks exemplified these traits to me this day. Mister and his wife were most gentle and kindly to me, and combined it with a courtesy and genuine concern that put me at ease.


For so long as I remember their kindness, I will ask God's blessings on them in prayer, and if I ever see them in need they will have any service I can perform them for the asking.
Those of us who follow the news may sometimes wonder if decency has departed from the human race... but today I bear witness that human decency yet lives.


Indeed, in some folks, it still flourishes in an abundance... God bless them.

When you get to the point that you think that people are complete turds, it's time to shut off the tv and get off DP, for a little while.
Most folks are decent enough.

Glad you got the help you needed, sounds like good people.
TV, especially TV news, is poison for the mind.

 

[nota bene]

A couple of days ago, my far-away BFF and I began an e-mail exchange on this very topic, the kindness of strangers, and how just a simple acknowledgement of another's humanity can be a day-changer. This afternoon she e-mailed me to say that yesterday the "Today" show was talking about exactly what we'd been e-mailing about and how weird is this?

And now I log in and find a thread on this very topic. Maybe something's afoot in the collective subconscious. :mrgreen:

Even if it's not, and I just hate the "random acts of kindness" meme, a truth is that we are all travelers on the road and sometimes lonely or in despair, and just reading the grocery store clerk's badge and saying, "Thank you, Mike" can actually matter.

And what's so great is that making a tiny effort is...free! Somebody from my childhood once told me, "It don't cost you nothing to be nice, but it sho' does cost you plenty to be nasty." Truer words...and words I've lived by ever since.

 

[Goshin]

A couple of days ago, my far-away BFF and I began an e-mail exchange on this very topic, the kindness of strangers, and how just a simple acknowledgement of another's humanity can be a day-changer. This afternoon she e-mailed me to say that yesterday the "Today" show was talking about exactly what we'd been e-mailing about and how weird is this?

And now I log in and find a thread on this very topic. Maybe something's afoot in the collective subconscious. :mrgreen:

Even if it's not, and I just hate the "random acts of kindness" meme, a truth is that we are all travelers on the road and sometimes lonely or in despair, and just reading the grocery store clerk's badge and saying, "Thank you, Mike" can actually matter.

And what's so great is that making a tiny effort is...free! Somebody from my childhood once told me, "It don't cost you nothing to be nice, but it sho' does cost you plenty to be nasty." Truer words...and words I've lived by ever since.

It's true, little acts of kindness can change someone's day. I'm reminded of Son#1, who came home from work and was in a REALLY bad mood over something someone did. We went out to eat, I was hoping it would cheer him up but his mood remained black as pitch... until we got this crazy little Mexican waitress who kept joking with him until he was smiling from ear to ear.


She changed his day with a few dozen words well delivered, and a persistently cheerful and friendly attitude.

 

[radcen]

I am not, in general, someone who trusts in strangers or expects much of them. One could say I view humanity in general with typically low expectations... something that following the news and politics tends to feed.

While I was working today at someone else's home, I had a blood sugar drop-out (really shouldn't skip breakfast) and was in rather a bad way for a little while. The gentleman and lady of the house were VERY kind to me, helped me to a chair in the shade, insisted I rest a while, brought me orange juice and cookies to revive me, and were generally most solicitous of my well being, to a degree one does not typically expect of strangers.
When I tried to apologize for the bother, they would not hear of it and insisted I rest as long as necessary, and offered further aid if I needed it. They were VERY kindly and genuine in their concern.
I was quite moved by their kindness and courtesy and wished to share this story, as a counterpoint to all the madness in the news.

These days we rarely speak of what it is to be a "gentleman" or a "gracious lady"... I tell you these folks exemplified these traits to me this day. Mister and his wife were most gentle and kindly to me, and combined it with a courtesy and genuine concern that put me at ease.


For so long as I remember their kindness, I will ask God's blessings on them in prayer, and if I ever see them in need they will have any service I can perform them for the asking.
Those of us who follow the news may sometimes wonder if decency has departed from the human race... but today I bear witness that human decency yet lives.


Indeed, in some folks, it still flourishes in an abundance... God bless them.

Thank you for sharing this. There are indeed good people in the world, and it does the rest of us good to be reminded of that.