So something so cool happened today at Starbucks. The only other time it ever happened to me was when this friend of mine was in front of me in line at the drive through. I had ordered my coffee, and when I went to pay, the barista at the cash register told me not to worry about it, that a car two lengths ahead had taken care of it for me. I can't even tell you the perma smile this left on my face all day! Apparently they just handed her a five and told her to buy the next under five dollar order that came through.

So I would like to challenge all the chicks to make someone's day the way that this made mine. It could be anything. I am scheming right now for my "pay it forward" idea. I've always thought that movie was cheese, but I just feel so very charitable and lovey right now that I don't care.

That is soo cool! Gives me something to think about!

I love it when seemingly small good deeds such as this one give me a warm, fuzzy feeling about the potential kindness of complete strangers.

Like LBH said, it has definitely given me something to think about.

I love this. I always check the meters around my car when I'm downtown and if they are low or out I will plug some change in them. It doesn't take much...

It's amazing how such small things can really make a difference. My favorite non-money "charity" is to look around me at the store, and if the person behind me in line has less to buy, I let them in front of me. Some folks are really shocked and grateful by it.

We did this today -- before you even started the thread!! At the grocery store today a mom with two kids (one baby in the top of a cart and one about 2 year old wandering around) ended up with two carts and was looking stressed so my two boys and I took our cart and her two to her car while she walked the little guy to the car.

I'm always amazed when people walk by someone struggling without even a second glance. It's kind of sad to me we've become such a self centered world.

My favorite was the day I took my two boys (9 and 5) to a park and let my oldest take the little guy into the men's room (because I could see them through an open door!!) I watched my 5 year old help a man in a wheelchair close his bathroom door when he was struggling and my son held the door closed until the gentleman was done. I try to think of things like this the days he's driving me crazy!!!

This does brighten the day.

I am retired and hardly ever in a hurry, so my favorite thing to do is allow people to go ahead of me. If I am out to lunch I like to let working people who are on a time crunch go first. Same thing at the grocery...a mom with kids who might be fussy, or someone with one item. It is such a little thing to me, but might mean a lot to them.

Maybe the Non Money PIFs are better because it reconnects us as humans paying attention to each other. Kinda makes us take notice a little deeper than nodding and saying "How ya doing?" and not really wanting a real answer.

I was moved one day when I took my daughter to get a soft pretzel in the mall. We were standing in a very long line watching them make the pretzels through the glass wall. When we placed our order, the cashier told us that the manager (making pretzels herself due to the rush of people) said to not make us pay for the order because we were the first people in a while to smile while waiting in the long line. Apparently, others were frustrated by the wait. Boy, did this teach my daughter an important lesson of patience. Needless to say, I have not seen her quit smiling since. A smile does make someone's day!

You all are so inspiring! I am usually the mom in the line with the fussy child, but I am going to remember to let someone ahead of me next time.

After reading "Nickle and Dimed" by Barb Ehrenreich, I'm even more conscious of service people and such. I've always tipped 10-15% because I've been there and am now fortunate that my wages aren't cut by my having a bad day. I also put things back neatly at the store rather than just tossing it aside for the employees to clean up. Knowing how it has gotten worse for folks "at the bottom" has upped me to 20%.

I spoke to the guy who delivered my pizza the other night. He is making $6.00/hr and $1.00/delivery. Good Lord!!! When I managed a Pizza Hut in 1991 we were paying $5.25/hr and $.75/delivery. He also works full time for $11.00/hr. and his wife works full time. How in the world are people supposed to get by on that and have any kind of a life?

Pay it Forward. Cheesy? LOL Maybe, but every time I watch it (and that is just about any time I see it listed in the guide)- I just tear up and cry. I love that movie

One thing I enjoy letting people into traffic with a smile and a wave. I know how I am if I'm trying to merge... how much I appreciate when someone let's me in instead of having to force my way in. I always toot my horn, give a wave and hope the other person realizes how they have made my day.

These are such good stories.

On my walk home from the bus stop an elderly gentleman tripped and fell; his glasses flew off his face and his groceries scattered on the pavement. I rushed to help him... I was the only who ran towards. There were about 10 other people at the bus stop just watching! I couldn't believe it. I felt really bad though, because as I reached for him to help him to his feet my hand went inside his jacket pocket! I don't know if her noticed, but I thought how cringey. lol.

I will keep this thread in mind. I do try to do many of these things but it is great to be reminded.
This afternoon, my dd was selling root beer floats for a dollar outside of a grocery store to raise money for their big High School choir trip. I was chaperoning the group. I was so pleasantly surprised at how many people either just left a donation (many $5 or $10, some even $20) or bought a float but said keep the change. It made me feel much better about mankind in general to know that most people are inherently kind and generous.

This is common near my house. Going west you have to cross a heavy traffic road. Someone was watching out for me when I bought my house as I have a stop light to let me onto the cross street. From my stop light to the next, folks can hardly get out turning right, heaven forbid trying a left hand turn. I've stopped to let someone in or out and have been honked at some jacka** behind me. Honestly, do they think there losing time b/c they are now one car further back.

Many will also pull forward and block the intersections while waiting for the light to change thereby making it impossible for people trying to turn left onto their own side street. But, in general, most of us help each other negotiate during high traffic times. And it does feel like it's "us against the world" when helping each other get thru it.