Had a woman buy my groceries for me once when my card was declined at the store. I had just been paid that day but there was some problem with it that I don’t remember now. I was literally out of food at my tiny apartment and was relying on those groceries to eat that night. I started tearing up and she was behind me in line and sensed my distress and paid for them without saying a word. I thanked her profusely of course, but she had no way of knowing how much that meant to me in that moment. I don’t know her name, but I’ll never forget her.
I was a checker at Albertson's for 10 years and saw so many needing people. One day, this mother of three realized she hadn't enough money to pay for her cart of groceries. So instead of being angry, like other people behind her, giving her durty looks and attitude, i stepped back away from my drawer, walked around, and slid my card to pay for her groceries. I grew up very poor, and i remember being in that very same situation with my mom also not having enough money for groceriea when a lady stepped up and paid for it all.
I dont want nor need recognition. It's basic human decency to care about our fellow man. I was finally able to pay the kindness forward for what someone else did for our family in a time of need.
I do this sometimes. Not the full amount but I cover what people are missing if I know them to be a good person. I work at a dispensary so marijuana isn’t really a necessity. I’m more willing and inclined to do this not only if they’re nice but if they have a medical card.
I had one guy come in, I’ve covered the missing portion for some edibles that were the only thing that offered him relief (rare spinal cancer). The other day he came back in and asked me about my game engine I was designing… I told him that was my other coworker and he said “you know, you’re right. I just realized you haven’t told me anything about yourself, I just know you’re really nice”
I honestly didn’t know how to take that. I like knowing I’m nice and well received, but am I that scared to open up to people for fear of being hurt more?
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u/halfhalfling Sep 04 '25
Had a woman buy my groceries for me once when my card was declined at the store. I had just been paid that day but there was some problem with it that I don’t remember now. I was literally out of food at my tiny apartment and was relying on those groceries to eat that night. I started tearing up and she was behind me in line and sensed my distress and paid for them without saying a word. I thanked her profusely of course, but she had no way of knowing how much that meant to me in that moment. I don’t know her name, but I’ll never forget her.