Paying It Forward

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Kurben

The Fool on the Hill
Apr 12, 2014
9,682
65,192
59
sweden
The only time someone payed anything for me was at a dinner at a restaurant in germany a friend of mine offered to pay my dinner (an indian restaurant in Dresden, delicious by the way) because it happened to be my birthday that day. A nice gesture i thought. Didn't even know he was aware. I had probably mentioned it sometime but he had remembered.
 

ghost19

"Have I run too far to get home?"
Sep 25, 2011
8,926
56,578
51
Arkansas
I had this happen to me at a fast food restaurant a few months ago. I guess my dogged, suspicious nature of my fellow humans must have kicked in a little too soon. I pulled thru the drive thru, my bill was something like 8 bucks or so. I had my cash in hand, ready to pay when the sixteen or seventeen year old girl at the window says "You don't have to pay for your food sir, the person in the vehicle in front of you paid for it." My first reaction was to check the truck in front of me for familiar people, a co-worker, friend, something like that, but I didn't recognize the vehicle or the person as they pulled away. I asked the girl why they paid for my food. She looked at me and said, "They're paying it forward, that is the fifth vehicle now." I asked her what that meant still trying to figure out who was in the truck in front of me. By this time, I'm checking behind me to make sure this isn't some sort of mafia hit or the girl at the windows isn't pulling a silenced pistol or something from behind her back, I know, too many Godfather movies....anyway, for some reason, the pay it forward concept just isn't computing. I held my 8 bucks out to her and told her I'd like to pay for my food. She told me "You can pay the bill for the car behind you, it's $25.60."....... The SUV behind me looked like it was full of soccer kids or something. I just chuckled, handed her my 8 bucks and told her to do whatever she wanted to with it. I guess I just don't get that concept. I ran it by wife who laughed and told me she wasn't surprised I didn't participate in the pay if forward gesture. She told me "You always see a scam or an angle in everything people do, I don't even think you realize it anymore." I thought about that for a few minutes then asked her if that was a good thing or a bad thing.......She just laughed and told me "One of us needs to be like that I guess."
 

GNTLGNT

The idiot is IN
Jun 15, 2007
87,651
358,754
62
Cambridge, Ohio
I had this happen to me at a fast food restaurant a few months ago. I guess my dogged, suspicious nature of my fellow humans must have kicked in a little too soon. I pulled thru the drive thru, my bill was something like 8 bucks or so. I had my cash in hand, ready to pay when the sixteen or seventeen year old girl at the window says "You don't have to pay for your food sir, the person in the vehicle in front of you paid for it." My first reaction was to check the truck in front of me for familiar people, a co-worker, friend, something like that, but I didn't recognize the vehicle or the person as they pulled away. I asked the girl why they paid for my food. She looked at me and said, "They're paying it forward, that is the fifth vehicle now." I asked her what that meant still trying to figure out who was in the truck in front of me. By this time, I'm checking behind me to make sure this isn't some sort of mafia hit or the girl at the windows isn't pulling a silenced pistol or something from behind her back, I know, too many Godfather movies....anyway, for some reason, the pay it forward concept just isn't computing. I held my 8 bucks out to her and told her I'd like to pay for my food. She told me "You can pay the bill for the car behind you, it's $25.60."....... The SUV behind me looked like it was full of soccer kids or something. I just chuckled, handed her my 8 bucks and told her to do whatever she wanted to with it. I guess I just don't get that concept. I ran it by wife who laughed and told me she wasn't surprised I didn't participate in the pay if forward gesture. She told me "You always see a scam or an angle in everything people do, I don't even think you realize it anymore." I thought about that for a few minutes then asked her if that was a good thing or a bad thing.......She just laughed and told me "One of us needs to be like that I guess."
...it is a survival instinct in your profession, not that "you don't it"...my line of work makes me jumpy as well....however, Tracy and I have payed for a couple of folk's meals just because it feels good to make someone else's day...and my kids have too...
 

FlakeNoir

Original Kiwi© SKMB®
Moderator
Apr 11, 2006
44,082
175,641
New Zealand
At the hospital we have paid parking, I was running late to get back to my town to pick up school kids and there were two people in front of me. The person using the machine had just had his money card fail on him making the machine hold onto his 'parking release' card.
I pulled out some cash and gave it to him so he could retrieve his card and be allowed to leave the hospital, he said he would run to his car to bring me some money, I just told him nah--pay it forward to someone who needs help sometime.

I'm always reminded of that movie... broke my heart it did.
 

Spideyman

Uber Member
Jul 10, 2006
46,336
195,472
79
Just north of Duma Key
At the hospital we have paid parking, I was running late to get back to my town to pick up school kids and there were two people in front of me. The person using the machine had just had his money card fail on him making the machine hold onto his 'parking release' card.
I pulled out some cash and gave it to him so he could retrieve his card and be allowed to leave the hospital, he said he would run to his car to bring me some money, I just told him nah--pay it forward to someone who needs help sometime.

I'm always reminded of that movie... broke my heart it did.


The movie broke my heart too, Flake. Your kindness shines.
 

staropeace

Richard Bachman's love child
Nov 28, 2006
15,210
48,848
Alberta,Canada
Once I was short a couple of dollars and this buddhist couple told me to forget it. They own the store. I usually hand a dollar or two to any guys or gals I see with their shopping carts and lying on the grass asleep in the summer. I know the homeless to see them. In the winter I donate to the kettles or the box in the supermarket with some food to give the poor.
 

morgan

Well-Known Member
Jul 11, 2010
29,353
104,579
North Dakota
Years ago, I told a guy I knew about something small I'd done as a random act of kindness. He'd never heard of the "pay it forward" concept before. He called me a couple days later to tell me he had seen a woman at the gas station with three kids in a battered car. He went inside and paid for his fuel and paid for the stranger's fuel as well (she was passing through and had filled her tank-which was I think around $50 if I remember correctly). When she came in to pay, the attendant told her what he had done and she went rushing out to thank him. She was a single mom going through a hard time. I have done many small random acts of kindness, but have never had the money to do something of this scale. It felt good to be a small part of it.

And the movie Pay It Forward rips my heart out too!
 

morgan

Well-Known Member
Jul 11, 2010
29,353
104,579
North Dakota
I called ahead to a take 'n' bake pizza place when I was running errands today. The young man asked if he could put me on hold and I heard him explain to another customer how he was the only employee working. I felt bad for him, so I hung up. After a few more stops, I went to the movie store, which is very close to the pizza place. I decided to call again, but this time I told the young man I had heard him explain how he was working alone and asked him if he was going to have more help later on and if there would be a better time to call back. He explained that a lot of the calls were for pre-orders for later on because they were closing early tonight. He said he could make my order right away, no problem. I really had my heart set on DVD's and veggie pizza since I will be alone tomorrow. I placed my order and was very surprised how kind and considerate the young man was the entire time. When I arrived, he was helping someone else and had made a mistake and was flustered, but still remained professional and courteous. When it was my turn, we talked for a few moments about what a crazy day he'd had. He said another employee would be coming in to help him for the last 3 hours of the day. A lot of people don't tip in a take-out place, but I tip practically everywhere 'cuz I've had to work a lot of crummy jobs and I understand. I only had an extra $10 in cash, but I gave it to him and told him to put it in his pocket before the other employee arrived so he wouldn't have to split it. He was so blessed-I wish I would've had more to give. He was just so kind and polite and it meant a lot to me to be able to make his day a little better.
 

Spideyman

Uber Member
Jul 10, 2006
46,336
195,472
79
Just north of Duma Key
I called ahead to a take 'n' bake pizza place when I was running errands today. The young man asked if he could put me on hold and I heard him explain to another customer how he was the only employee working. I felt bad for him, so I hung up. After a few more stops, I went to the movie store, which is very close to the pizza place. I decided to call again, but this time I told the young man I had heard him explain how he was working alone and asked him if he was going to have more help later on and if there would be a better time to call back. He explained that a lot of the calls were for pre-orders for later on because they were closing early tonight. He said he could make my order right away, no problem. I really had my heart set on DVD's and veggie pizza since I will be alone tomorrow. I placed my order and was very surprised how kind and considerate the young man was the entire time. When I arrived, he was helping someone else and had made a mistake and was flustered, but still remained professional and courteous. When it was my turn, we talked for a few moments about what a crazy day he'd had. He said another employee would be coming in to help him for the last 3 hours of the day. A lot of people don't tip in a take-out place, but I tip practically everywhere 'cuz I've had to work a lot of crummy jobs and I understand. I only had an extra $10 in cash, but I gave it to him and told him to put it in his pocket before the other employee arrived so he wouldn't have to split it. He was so blessed-I wish I would've had more to give. He was just so kind and polite and it meant a lot to me to be able to make his day a little better.


Acts of kindness- he will remember what you did.
 

morgan

Well-Known Member
Jul 11, 2010
29,353
104,579
North Dakota
I think "Paying It Forward" is always important-but this time of year is especially difficult for a lot of people (I know it is for me). I want to attempt to do something nice for someone EVERY single day. I've been selling a lot of my clothes at consignment shops and online. My mom has been fighting a bad case of bronchitis for several weeks and has missed days at work. I am struggling too, but I decided to use some of the money I've made selling my things to help her out. I went to the bank and put $100 into her checking account today. A few weeks ago she told me she didn't think she was going to be able to buy a small gift for her grandchildren this year-I hope now she can. Every little bit helps.
 

Spideyman

Uber Member
Jul 10, 2006
46,336
195,472
79
Just north of Duma Key
I think "Paying It Forward" is always important-but this time of year is especially difficult for a lot of people (I know it is for me). I want to attempt to do something nice for someone EVERY single day. I've been selling a lot of my clothes at consignment shops and online. My mom has been fighting a bad case of bronchitis for several weeks and has missed days at work. I am struggling too, but I decided to use some of the money I've made selling my things to help her out. I went to the bank and put $100 into her checking account today. A few weeks ago she told me she didn't think she was going to be able to buy a small gift for her grandchildren this year-I hope now she can. Every little bit helps.


You have the magic of the season within you, Morgan. :biglove:
 

FlakeNoir

Original Kiwi© SKMB®
Moderator
Apr 11, 2006
44,082
175,641
New Zealand
I think "Paying It Forward" is always important-but this time of year is especially difficult for a lot of people (I know it is for me). I want to attempt to do something nice for someone EVERY single day. I've been selling a lot of my clothes at consignment shops and online. My mom has been fighting a bad case of bronchitis for several weeks and has missed days at work. I am struggling too, but I decided to use some of the money I've made selling my things to help her out. I went to the bank and put $100 into her checking account today. A few weeks ago she told me she didn't think she was going to be able to buy a small gift for her grandchildren this year-I hope now she can. Every little bit helps.
Good on you, girl... :smile:
 

MadamMack

M e m b e r
Apr 11, 2006
17,958
45,138
UnParked, UnParked U.S.A.
I think "Paying It Forward" is always important-but this time of year is especially difficult for a lot of people (I know it is for me). I want to attempt to do something nice for someone EVERY single day. I've been selling a lot of my clothes at consignment shops and online. My mom has been fighting a bad case of bronchitis for several weeks and has missed days at work. I am struggling too, but I decided to use some of the money I've made selling my things to help her out. I went to the bank and put $100 into her checking account today. A few weeks ago she told me she didn't think she was going to be able to buy a small gift for her grandchildren this year-I hope now she can. Every little bit helps.

It all will come back to you Morgan . . .and more.
 
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