I tell the same story about my first experience with an R.A.K. and it is my barometer every time.

I was working at the bank, standing in line with the rest of the morning robots getting my donut and orange juice when a total stranger is in line behind me just buys my items out of the blue. I turned around and told her thank you. She just said to me, this is a random acto of kindness, all I ask is that you do the same for someone else someday. I told her I would and I had a great day just thinking about the act.

I didn't do it right away as I wanted it to come from a more genuine disposition on my part, not just a retaliatory gesture, but the notion has stuck with me over all these years....

It is now time for you all to wake up and make someone's day if you so desire!!!

Nearly a quarter of an hour and no responses?


There ya go.

Ok, I'm sorry.

I'll bear this in mind tomorrow.

I keep bottled water and small packages of peanut butter crackers in my car to give to the people standing on the side of the road with "I'm hungry" signs.....most of them are happy to have it, others grumble because they want the change to buy ~whatever~....

Last Fall in NYC, I offered to by a sandwich at a nearby deli for a guy on the corner asking for food.....he was beligerant and said no, he didn't want a sandwich, he wanted money.....so I asked if he was truly hungry, he said yes, so I went into the deli and bought him a sandwich anyway. He took it, then when I crossed the street I saw him toss it in the waste bin.....oh, well...I tried....

cubic61052 said:

See if someone gave me free food, as long as I knew it was ok, I would eat it anyway, regardless if I wanted drugs/booze to begin with. Its a waste!



On Christmas Eve my Mother and I went to her sisters for a late supper before going to Midnight Mass, and there was loads of food left, so we took it with us, to take home. Then outside the church there was a man and a woman, homeless I assume, and we gave it to them instead. They took it happily, they obviously *did* want food. Christmas eve man, what else could you do?

I like this, Dex.

It's also good to remember that true kindness is sometimes listening to what another needs, instead of assuming we know what's good for them.

Fauxie said:

I will sometimes pick up someone's lunch at work or bring someone coffee in the morning, but there are a lot more good things to be done Thanks, Dex!

I remember walking downtown indy and there was this young man, shakin' his cup. I always make it a habit of putting a couple of bucks in the cup. All i had was a five and when I put it in the cup, I think he wanted to kiss me he was so happy.


I bought flowers for some women at work. I gave another one a jacket.

I always say I'm going to do this but I forget. I will keep it in mind.

M

Just a little while ago, I guess...

...to a man at the gas service station. His credit card wouldn't go through for his purchase, and they wouldn't take his driver's license until he came back with another form of payment, so I paid it instead of them calling the police.

SHANNA said:

So did you get your money back?

retina said:

No. He was a stranger. And, I wasn't going to exchange what was necessary to do so.

SHANNA said:

You mean phone numbers? There are ways of transferring money without that though, like PayPal for example. I know you wanted to help out, but to pay for a whole tank of gas (?) is more than just a nice gesture. I would have insisted that I pay you back if I were him.

retina said:

SECURITY!!!



Just kidding, retina...But maybe he'll do the same for someone else?

Last year, my best friend took me to dinner at a very expensive French restaurant on my birthday. The story is incredibly long and I wish I had the time to tell you, because it would have made the situation all the more touching; but a woman sitting near us, seeing how great of a time our poor asses were having out of our element, PAID for our entire dinner, which included wine, dessert and tip--equalling over $150.

I don't typically share the RAK's I exercise, because I don't think they exist to be told to others. Wonderful thread, Dexy.

SHANNA said:

You have emoticons guarding your safety?



Maybe. Or, since a hot woman suddenly paid for his gas for no reason at all, he just spent the rest of his days looking for the hidden cameras.

you're such a showoff dex!

At least once, maybe twice, the car ahead of me paid my toll on the bridge. It totally made my day!

BlackAdder7 said:

I think I should make an exercise/workout video for you man!!

took my boys to new york on saturday, as i was in line buyin a hot dog a guy came up and asked for forty cents, without even thinking i dug in my pocket for change, i gave him 50 cents. i think he was surprised... he then gave the boys some advice, "be good and listen to your mother boys" and away he went with a smile

Parking at the college I attend can be a real hastle and 4 hours costs 12 dollars.

I always buy 4 hours of parking time at college because that's how long I might be there any given day, but I always hand over my dashboard ticket (with my parking spot ) when I am leaving when there's still time left (usually about an hour) on the parking stub.

"What do I owe ya?" or "Can I pay you for it?" they ask.

"Nothing, that's fine. " I reply.

I like to think that my good nature is rubbing off on my kids...

We were at one of those places that have games that spit out tickets for kids to buy plastic penny toys or whatever...My 11 year old won some tickets, but not nearly enough to amount to anything significant, so he walked over to another random kid and gave him all of his tickets and walked away.

cool stuff.

I love doing random acts of kindness. I try to do one nice thing for someone everyday, and I love the feeling I get from it. That feeling of knowing you did something for someone and seeing their appreciation feels very good and is priceless.

One RAK that I did: well there was this booth that was collecting donations for their organization. The girl watching the booth needed to go somewhere, so I offered to watch the booth. I ended up staying there for five hours and it was great. I helped collect money, met nice ppl and it was great.
[Edited 4/22/07 15:29pm]

FunkMistress said:

INSATIABLE said:

OMG, that's so great.