Phoning an ambulance after finding me ~24 hours after drinking a bottle of antifreeze.
What is the nicest thing a stranger has ever done for you?
331–340 of 353 posts
Re: What is the nicest thing a stranger has ever done for you?
#332I live in Minnesota and do not own a snowblower. Probably my mistake, but I always joke that I get most of my exercise in the winter. Snow is really heavy for those without context. A couple years ago we had a particularly bad snowfall. The plow has a nasty hate filled habit of dumping all its snow in my driveway. I had a drift at the end of my driveway about 4 feet high and 6 feet deep. Literally up to my chest. I h…
I'm convinced bobcats (used generically) are the single most versatile and useful platform ever created. They're fun to drive and you can solve most problems with them. Not optimally for any specific task, but if something needs to be pushed or lifted or moved or pulled or flattened or piled, you can find a way. An 863 with hi-flow 2 speed and a pivoting plow was the most ideal snowplow I've ever played with.
You’d likely be interested in the history of the Bobcat (tm)
Re: What is the nicest thing a stranger has ever done for you?
#333Earlier quoted context omitted.
About 10 years ago I was regularly withdrawing small sums of money every month, looking a bit poor, with old clothes, sometimes a bit torn or dirty. The bank teller just offered to give me a pair of winter shoes. I felt uncomfortable so I didn't take them, but thanked him anyway. I could've used them, but I think he probably offered them to someone else later on who needed them more than I did. I didn't have any prio…
I worked at a YMCA as a young man, and I once bought a pair of shoes for a kid who was embarrassed of theirs. It didn't go as well as I thought it would--her mom was embarrassed and then out-did me--but it still felt really good to give them. So for anyone reading, it can feel as good to give a kindness as to receive one. Don't shy!
> it can feel as good to give a kindness as to receive one
True - I love giving gifts and helping people more than receiving them or getting help. But it's still awkward/uncomfortable to receive help.
> her mom was embarrassed and then out-did me
Out-did you how? Did she buy better shoes for the kid? Or did she give you a gift?
Re: What is the nicest thing a stranger has ever done for you?
#334Earlier quoted context omitted.
If you find the sheer number of people too much, do visit either Himachal Pradesh or Uttarakhand! You will find THE kindest people there. Though be careful of leopard and bear attacks in Uttarakhand right now!!
Oh, I just came back from Shimla actually. I stayed in Narkanda for 2 days to do some hiking, and Shimla one day, though I didn't interact with many people there. My next stop is Kochi, hopefully things are also a little quieter there.
Make sure you try to talk in English and see. Most people should know or atleast understand english there. And Kerala food can be spicy and it's hot out there. Make sure your drink enough water and stay hydrated.:)
Re: What is the nicest thing a stranger has ever done for you?
#335In general, I've found that people, even strangers, kind of look out for you. I've only had occasion to need this in America, but every time strangers have helped. What I found fascinating was that even late in the night, on a dark highway, a young woman would stop to assist. What a safe society. Two of those occasions are when I crashed on my skateboard, and when I crashed my car. Both times, a young woman stopped t…
You might like reading Darwin's Catedral by David Sloan Wilson. It's a recent take on the old idea of group selection, a theory that attempts to explain the human drive to cooperate. In that telling, it would take some form of religion to coopt that drive and allow human groups to grow large and be nice to strangers. Or not nice when they're seen as out group. I find this explains a lot about us.
Re: What is the nicest thing a stranger has ever done for you?
#336Gave me a can of gas.
Out in western Kansas, riding my motorcycle to go see my dad who was working in the field. Didn’t know the gas light on my bike was busted. Engine stalled in the middle of nowhere on an early May morning. I hiked for a bit and knocked on a farmhouse door. The guy and his wife offered me a coffee, breakfast, and a gallon out two of gas (85 miles of range on a bike). Can’t thank them enough.
I’ve tried to return the favor 10x fold to strangers.
Re: What is the nicest thing a stranger has ever done for you?
#337Earlier quoted context omitted.
About 10 years ago I was regularly withdrawing small sums of money every month, looking a bit poor, with old clothes, sometimes a bit torn or dirty. The bank teller just offered to give me a pair of winter shoes. I felt uncomfortable so I didn't take them, but thanked him anyway. I could've used them, but I think he probably offered them to someone else later on who needed them more than I did. I didn't have any prio…
I worked at a YMCA as a young man, and I once bought a pair of shoes for a kid who was embarrassed of theirs. It didn't go as well as I thought it would--her mom was embarrassed and then out-did me--but it still felt really good to give them. So for anyone reading, it can feel as good to give a kindness as to receive one. Don't shy!
You did great.
Re: What is the nicest thing a stranger has ever done for you?
#338Earlier quoted context omitted.
Just be wary as you get older. The number of old men who die from heart attacks while shoveling snow is nonzero
The number of old men who die from doing no exercize is also quite high.
The fix for never exercising isn’t to blow the buildup into your heart all at once…………….
Re: What is the nicest thing a stranger has ever done for you?
#339In general, I've found that people, even strangers, kind of look out for you. I've only had occasion to need this in America, but every time strangers have helped. What I found fascinating was that even late in the night, on a dark highway, a young woman would stop to assist. What a safe society. Two of those occasions are when I crashed on my skateboard, and when I crashed my car. Both times, a young woman stopped t…
You might like reading Darwin's Catedral by David Sloan Wilson. It's a recent take on the old idea of group selection, a theory that attempts to explain the human drive to cooperate. In that telling, it would take some form of religion to coopt that drive and allow human groups to grow large and be nice to strangers. Or not nice when they're seen as out group. I find this explains a lot about us.
This class of book is something I enjoy. Thank you for the recommendation, purchased.
Re: What is the nicest thing a stranger has ever done for you?
#340I love going out of my way to help people, but hate when people help me or give me gifts. I don’t know how to experience “pure” gratitude that isn’t overwhelmed by guilt. I should probably talk to somebody about that…
In my second ever job, lawn care, a client wanted to give me a Christmas gift of some cash. I had a personal connection--I worked closely with their son in my first job.
I hadn't been offered a gift yet at work, and it felt wrong for some reason--I was young and naive. He insisted many times, and I refused.
When it was over, he seemed hurt, and he treated me in a less friendly way afterwards.
So that was how I learned the lesson. When someone wants to give you a gift, you accept it graciously. It's your duty.
My problem is, I feel bad if I don't put the gift to good use.