Last night was one much like any other, nothing particularly out of the ordinary. I met a few friends for a few drinks in Southsea, had a lovely catch up and a lovely evening was had. I stayed behind, as was meeting another friend shortly after, and waited patiently at the bar on my own. After a short while of waiting, said friend phoned to inform me that after one too many beverages had decided they weren’t coming at all and I shouldn’t bother waiting any longer. A bit annoying, but not the end of the world. I started chatting to the bar staff (who had been keeping me company in friend’s absence) and ended up having a rather lovely evening with them instead. Towards the end of the night, Mr Bar Man insisted I take his tips for the evening, and that I should get a a cab at least part way home. I protested quite extensively, but ’no’ was not an option.
It was such a lovely gesture and really meant a lot, that someone who really didn’t know me at all was willing to go the extra mile in making someones life that little bit easier, making someone smile.
So, this got me thinking, what random acts of kindness my friends and followers have partaken in? What have YOU done to make someone’s day? I put together a few to put a smile on your face, and maybe remind us all that however big or small the gesture is, we could be a little nicer to our fellow beings ever so often. It really does make a difference…
“I have been known to give lifts to old people when I see them struggling. It’s a small town where you see familiar faces, but even if you don’t know them properly and they have lots of bags and its raining, its a nice thing to do…”
Claire, (Germany)
“When walking my dog, I met an older lady out walking with her young Labrador, and was incredibly nervous of letting it off the lead and meeting other dogs/people. I offered for her to walk with me and my big Belgian Shephard for a while, and over time helped with what different reactions meant and help her confidence. We had the two playing in a huge field in no time!
Stella Whitby, Devon
“I arrived at Victoria coach station in London and I noticed a woman who was visibly upset and had a massive amount of luggage, tears were streaming down her face. Every other person walked straight by, seemingly oblivious. I decided that I had to help, and asked her what was the matter.
In a haze of tears and sniffs she explained that she was due to return to France later that evening, but had lost her ticket and was incredibly confused by the screens in front of her and couldn’t find her coach. I found the international terminal for her, then proceeded to help her to it. I asked if it was ok for me to carry some of her bags to help her there ( I didn’t want to assume and be accused of attempted theft!). I waited with her until she got to the front of the queue and explained to the customer service assistant what her problem was and within a couple of minutes her ticket details were found. She was issued another one and she was ready to go. Her tears had now turned to a smile. She thanked me repeatedly and I wished her a safe journey.”
Joe Coyle, Oxford
“My favourite one was when a few of us (20 odd) were in Hyde Park, and we noticed over the side of the lake there was a woman with a 50th Birthday balloon who was sat with a small group of friends. We hired 5 or 6 rowing boats and rowed across the lake where from the water we serenaded her with “Happy Birthday” and presented her with a bottle of wine as a present. She was nearly in tears, it was really sweet.”
Warren Bonathan, Winchester
“I was once travelling on the bus which stopped sharply, and the lady directly in front of me missed the hand rail and was about to go flying. Seeing this, I lept out and I caught her in my arms.”
Gareth Farmer, Walsall
“Once a woman and her little girl didn’t have money for the bus so I gave it to them to save a trip to the cash point in the rain..”
Lauren Colwill, Southsea
“Two monts ago I gave a complete stranger a pound for their shopping trolly when they lost their token. A small gesture, but made their life much easier. Then a week ago I helped a gentleman push his car off the road when it would not start..”
Dee Caines, Somerset
