The Kindness of Strangers
By GreenMoo
@GreenMoo (11833)
February 7, 2013 8:53am CST
At a rough moment, I was lucky enough to receive a message which made me smile from someone who I barely know.
The kindness of that stranger made me feel enormously better and got me thinking. We all like to be the recipients of kindness, but I think we come to expect it from our close friends, family and loved ones. When a stranger is kind to us it is generally a very welcome surprise. I don't know if you agree with me, but that makes it sweeter. What do you think?
Have you received a kindness from a stranger recently? How did it make you feel? Do you think it feels different to receive a kindness out of the blue from a stranger than it does to receive one from those we know and love?
4 people like this
12 responses
@vernaC (1491)
• Romania
7 Feb 13
I recall that moment when I had difficulty in buying a ticket for a ride home. I don't know romanian language well and I only speak what was taught to me from my husband. Then a young woman came to me and helped me by interpreting the conversation of me and the saleslday. Very nice, I could never forget that, she's beautiful and kind.2 people like this
@WakeUpKitty (8694)
• Netherlands
7 Feb 13
Yes I did years ago when I felt terrible, this was a stranger for real I met on the street. That woman just said: good morning, how are you doing. I said: bad. And she took the time for me.
Still strangers say great things to brighten up my day. Just people who pass by. BTW someone who can send you a message is not a stranger or?
2 people like this
@wolfie34 (26771)
• United Kingdom
7 Feb 13
It does kind of restore your faith in humanity when you receive kindness from a stranger, and it does make you feel good inside, that a complete stranger went out of their way to help you. There are good people in the world, we should never forget that.
1 person likes this
@katsmeow1213 (28716)
• United States
7 Feb 13
It is more touching as we feel like our friends have an obligation.. but strangers have no obligation what so ever.
I can't really think of anything recent.. but in the past there were times when my car had broken down and a stranger would pull over to offer help or a ride.
1 person likes this
@GreenMoo (11833)
•
7 Feb 13
Ditto, I only stop when I'm with my partner. Other than a loan of my phone, I wouldn't be much help to anyone who had broken down anyway. I think the exception would be if it was one of the deserted back roads we have around here, because if you break down there you really are stuck.
@katsmeow1213 (28716)
• United States
7 Feb 13
I tend not to stop because I'm usually by myself and wouldn't be of much assistance anyway. If I felt I could help I probably would.. but I also worry about the dangers of stopping when I'm by myself.
1 person likes this
@bounce58 (17385)
• Canada
11 Feb 13
Yes it does make it sweeter!
I think I may have been a recepient of a 'stranger's kindness' last night. I went out to a get-together in the city last night. A friend was celebrating a birthday, and it was in some restaurant in the city. I hate going to the city as the parking is really expensive.
I could have sworn I didn't have enough coins for the parking meter, and we overstayed at the restaurant so I was running to the car when we finally said our goodbyes. I was surprised I still had 15 mins to spare!
Somebody must have put in a few coins in the meter! Whover it was, may he/she be blessed for the kindness!
@GreenMoo (11833)
•
12 Feb 13
That's an amazing things to happen, and you'll never know who or why. You'll just have to pass the good deed on yourself sometime.
When I stay at my Mum's I often use a pay and display car park. I often just need to park for 10 minutes whilst I pop into a shop, but the minimum parking ticket is for 2 hours. I always cruise around before I leave, looking for someone I can pass it on to who can use the remaining hour and a half or whatever, and if I can't see someone then I stick the ticket gently onto the pay machine and hope someone finds it when they're about to buy one.
@inertia4 (27960)
• United States
9 Feb 13
I haven't felt that in years. I hardly get any kind of surprise like that. Maybe no one like me, I don't know and I don't care. I have no problem being kind to a stranger if they deserve it. Like if they need help or just a nice word. I find it really to be more kindness comes from strangers then family or friends. The reason I say this is because family and friends know you and they are always there for you, or supposed to be.
@inertia4 (27960)
• United States
11 Feb 13
Thats not it. I get out. But I have been dealing with issues with my kids and the evil ex. So that stuff has been on my mind. I think people shy away from me because I speak the truth and speak bluntly also. Most people don't like the truth and my delivery of it. I see nothing wrong with it. Why should I lie just to be nice? Strangers are strangers. A smile here and a smile there, a hello here and a hello there. No biggie. I just happen to say things as I seem them. That must be why.
@MsTickle (25180)
• Australia
13 Feb 13
I can't answer that my friend. Wish I could though.
Actually though, just before Christmas I called in on a friend to drop off some jewellery she had ordered and she was surprised to see me and her reaction was lovely and made me feel really good. I think I will always remember that time.
Maybe not quite what you meant but that's the closest I can get.
@BarBaraPrz (47611)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
7 Feb 13
One expects friends and family to be kind, but when it comes from a stranger, it's extra nice. And sometimes a shock.
@redredrose (1105)
• United States
7 Feb 13
I cant think of anything recently a stranger has done for me. Only when a stranger does something kind for you it feeks wonderfukl and more so than when a friend or family member does because family and friends always do nice things for you a stranger wouldnt always. When a stranger does sonething out of kindess for someone its called a random act of kindess and if eceryone in the wold did more of that wed have a better world.
@jenny1015 (13366)
• Philippines
8 Feb 13
Yes. I think that being genuinely appreciated and given kindness from a total stranger could actually make my day. It will surely leave you a smile and most probably your heart would skip a beat for just feeling so great.
@chicksdigscars (5483)
•
19 Feb 13
Not really to be honest. I read this discussion and I racked my brain to think of anyone who was a stranger being kind, but anyone who has ever done anything for me has usually been known to me in some respects. Myabe northern ireland doesn't have nice "strangers" lol..
