Random Acts of Kindness

United States
April 28, 2008 11:08am CST
Does anyone know what this is? Or does anyone do this? My husband and I do this everytime we go out to eat. We find an old couple or person eating by themself and pay for their meal without them knowing. It brings us great joy! We once did this while we were still eating dinner and we paid for the old couple next to us. They ended up leaving before us. We got to see their reaction that their meal had been paid for. The staff wouldn't tell them who. The reaction was priceless. We do not do this to be recognized! We want to remain anonymous. Most of our friends think what we do is stupid that we would waste money on strangers. The sad thing is most of the friends that say that have a lot more money than we do. I guess that's why they have more money...they keep it to themselves. Do you do random acts of kindness? What do you think of random acts of kindness? Do you think we are crazy for doing them?
4 people like this
11 responses
• Canada
28 Apr 08
I think that is awesome. I know that the best way to have everything you desire in your life is by being grateful for what you already have and giving to others. By giving you are creating a cycle of good and there can't be anything bad about that. Keep it up and all the good will come to you. I think your friends are crazy if they think otherwise!
4 people like this
@xParanoiax (6987)
• United States
29 Apr 08
I think the world would be a much better place if more people were advocates for random acts of kindness. My family and I are always down on our luck, and while we don't see kindness from strangers very often, when we do it's even more special for us and we're extremely grateful. But we do what we can, whenever we're able. Sometimes it's something as small as opening a door for a mother with her hands full and her children in tow. Sometimes it's giving away things which another family desperately needs...or cooking for the holidays for people who can't afford to do it themselves. I also work for the Salvation Army as a volenteer on occasion, so we try. I don't think you're crazy, I think you're awesome for doing that. Every act of kindness, random or on purpose, great or small...it leaves a mark on the world, and the people in it...bit by bit. It's wonderful.
2 people like this
@itsmepinky (1300)
• India
28 Apr 08
That is really wonderful. I dun think u r crazy by doin this. Once in a lifetime we come across such good samaritans. ~Pinks~
1 person likes this
@slothgurl (569)
• Enumclaw, Washington
29 Apr 08
That is great!! I have paid for people behind me at the drive thru at McDonalds. I like to help at the grocery store too, those shelves are sometimes too high for people to reach things. I also go to the thrift store alot and leave a $20 to pay for people behind me. My husband hates me "giving away" money because he's unemployed right now. But the way I see it, no matter how bad off we are, there may be someone else in worse conditions. Sometimes they need some help with things, or not. I just like to remind people that there are other people who care still out here. My son is picking it up too, he always goes to the "gramma ladies" houses to see if he can help with yard work. Sometimes, at the store he puts quarters in the gumball machines for other kids that may not have any. #:)
@paid2write (5201)
28 Apr 08
I think that is a beautiful thing to do. Despite having more money, your friends will get less benefit from their money than you do. You think the reaction of the old couple was "priceless". That proves it. You are not crazy, you are lovely people.
2 people like this
@qtfrog99 (279)
• United States
28 Apr 08
I don't believe you guys are crazy I give you major kudos!!! I would have never of thought of that. I think that is a great idea, and I am sure that it brings a smile to the faces of the couple or person you pay for. Keep up the good work!!!
1 person likes this
@mcc371 (918)
• United States
30 Oct 08
We have often went out to dinner or breakfast and seen friends or people from work and paid for their meals without them knowing it was us. One time one of our friends called me and said the strangiest thing happened last night that someone paid for their meal and that she guessed since they weren't dressed up that someone felt sorry for them and thought they were poor. I told her msybe they just were being kind and had met you somewhere before or perhaps worked with your husband... she just said maybe so. To this day I have never let her know it was us.
@vanities (11395)
• Davao, Philippines
21 May 08
thats great!! you are very kind and generous...i hope people will be the same as yours but i guess not all possess that qualities...i havent really done that in all my life..but i had given some if being accosted in the street or even inside the malls..telling that they dont have fare back home or whatever...or even in our house some people really had the guts to knocked on our door and ask some food or whatever for sustenance or for a sick child or whatever it is...i certainly give..
@alindahaw (1219)
• Philippines
29 Apr 08
That is really cool. Random acts of kindness seldom happen these days. People are simply too busy or so full of themselves that they forget about other people. I really admire you for doing what you do.
@celticeagle (166911)
• Boise, Idaho
29 Oct 08
Doesn't matter if you are anonymous or not. Keep these random acts going and maybe they will pop up and bloom. It needs to become an ongoing thing. I don't think you are crazy at all. You need to do more and do them more often. Get your friends doing them and pass it on!
@4JESUS (10)
• United States
24 Jun 08
greetings, i think random acts of kindness is the single greatest thought someone ever came up with! the best way of living is giving, giving, giving, until we have no more to give. JESUS CHRIST will never stop supplying our own needs as long as we are passing out HIS love and mercy to every soul we meet. everywhere i go i find there's someone i can do some thing nice for. nothing on earth has ever made me feel better than when i go can go OUT-OF-MY-WAY to make someone's load a little lighter, a little happier. didn't GOD HIMSELF get down on HIS knees and wash the feet of creatures? wasn't HE suffering for us on the CROSS? there's nothing beneath me to do for others. i will follow the example set by JESUS as to how HE wants us to live our lives while on earth!