"Pay it Forward" - Anyone Done it?
Discussion
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pay_it_forward
I've heard of paying it forward a fair bit recently, and I think it's absolutely brilliant. The Wiki link doesn't quite explain my understanding of the zeitgeist, which is to not expect the money (or kindly gesture) to be returned but rather to be used to help somebody else in trouble.
Previously, if ever asked by a friend or relative to loan them money I've always declined but gifted it to them if able to do so, but I think I'm going to do this from now on as it's likely to help more people.
What do you think? Any stories to tell?
I've heard of paying it forward a fair bit recently, and I think it's absolutely brilliant. The Wiki link doesn't quite explain my understanding of the zeitgeist, which is to not expect the money (or kindly gesture) to be returned but rather to be used to help somebody else in trouble.
Previously, if ever asked by a friend or relative to loan them money I've always declined but gifted it to them if able to do so, but I think I'm going to do this from now on as it's likely to help more people.
What do you think? Any stories to tell?
We try to, although in the grand scale of things (which in itself is relative) I’m not sure if it really is “paying it forward”, example:
If there is a friend of colleague I can help in some way, I try to, and don’t expect anything back. I have bought several colleagues lunch/medicine (nothing big, say paracetamol etc... which helped cure a hangover
etc... if they need it each time they asked how much they owed me, each time I told them to do something good for someone else.
If there is a friend of colleague I can help in some way, I try to, and don’t expect anything back. I have bought several colleagues lunch/medicine (nothing big, say paracetamol etc... which helped cure a hangover
etc... if they need it each time they asked how much they owed me, each time I told them to do something good for someone else.Leon R said:
I don't really understand how it is supposed to work and by that I mean I don't really understand how me paying for someone's coffee is supposed to support someone in need.
How is it better than just giving directly to charity?
Good question Sir, but it seems to me that when you give to charity, a fairly large chuck of it goes on the overheads - not to mention the Chairman's salary etc. Paying it forward seems a more direct and personal gesture to me. How is it better than just giving directly to charity?
I do not think it is necessarily a charitable donation. Years ago I was in the queue at the till and the person in front had forgotten her purse. For a small amount of money I knew I could positively impact her day so paid. She asked for my details so she could pay me back but I told her to just do the same if ever in the same situation.
Now I know, this can be a con where people are playing on the good will of those around to get free stuff. But, in this case it was a genuine. A few months later, at the same super market I found myself with no wallet and without hesitation the next person in the queue paid. It would make the story much better if it was the same girl but it was not but that supports the idea of pay it forward.
Now I know, this can be a con where people are playing on the good will of those around to get free stuff. But, in this case it was a genuine. A few months later, at the same super market I found myself with no wallet and without hesitation the next person in the queue paid. It would make the story much better if it was the same girl but it was not but that supports the idea of pay it forward.
h0b0 said:
I do not think it is necessarily a charitable donation. Years ago I was in the queue at the till and the person in front had forgotten her purse. For a small amount of money I knew I could positively impact her day so paid. She asked for my details so she could pay me back but I told her to just do the same if ever in the same situation.
Now I know, this can be a con where people are playing on the good will of those around to get free stuff. But, in this case it was a genuine. A few months later, at the same super market I found myself with no wallet and without hesitation the next person in the queue paid. It would make the story much better if it was the same girl but it was not but that supports the idea of pay it forward.
Love it!Now I know, this can be a con where people are playing on the good will of those around to get free stuff. But, in this case it was a genuine. A few months later, at the same super market I found myself with no wallet and without hesitation the next person in the queue paid. It would make the story much better if it was the same girl but it was not but that supports the idea of pay it forward.
h0b0 said:
I do not think it is necessarily a charitable donation. Years ago I was in the queue at the till and the person in front had forgotten her purse. For a small amount of money I knew I could positively impact her day so paid. She asked for my details so she could pay me back but I told her to just do the same if ever in the same situation.
Now I know, this can be a con where people are playing on the good will of those around to get free stuff. But, in this case it was a genuine. A few months later, at the same super market I found myself with no wallet and without hesitation the next person in the queue paid. It would make the story much better if it was the same girl but it was not but that supports the idea of pay it forward.
Not sure that can really be considered as paying it forward.Now I know, this can be a con where people are playing on the good will of those around to get free stuff. But, in this case it was a genuine. A few months later, at the same super market I found myself with no wallet and without hesitation the next person in the queue paid. It would make the story much better if it was the same girl but it was not but that supports the idea of pay it forward.
It was a very nice gesture and I would like to think I would do the same if put in the same position. Nice that it came back around though.
Leon R said:
h0b0 said:
I do not think it is necessarily a charitable donation. Years ago I was in the queue at the till and the person in front had forgotten her purse. For a small amount of money I knew I could positively impact her day so paid. She asked for my details so she could pay me back but I told her to just do the same if ever in the same situation.
Now I know, this can be a con where people are playing on the good will of those around to get free stuff. But, in this case it was a genuine. A few months later, at the same super market I found myself with no wallet and without hesitation the next person in the queue paid. It would make the story much better if it was the same girl but it was not but that supports the idea of pay it forward.
Not sure that can really be considered as paying it forward.Now I know, this can be a con where people are playing on the good will of those around to get free stuff. But, in this case it was a genuine. A few months later, at the same super market I found myself with no wallet and without hesitation the next person in the queue paid. It would make the story much better if it was the same girl but it was not but that supports the idea of pay it forward.
It was a very nice gesture and I would like to think I would do the same if put in the same position. Nice that it came back around though.
Costa used to have a thing where you could pay for coffee for someone homeless. The cost went in the till and someone in need got a freebie. Done that a few times.
I have also paid for coffee when there have been military in a queue. I stopped when it was a couple of Gurkha lads and the poor girl on the till was having problems explaining why the drinks were free.
I have also paid for coffee when there have been military in a queue. I stopped when it was a couple of Gurkha lads and the poor girl on the till was having problems explaining why the drinks were free.
Al Gorithum said:
Good question Sir, but it seems to me that when you give to charity, a fairly large chuck of it goes on the overheads - not to mention the Chairman's salary etc. Paying it forward seems a more direct and personal gesture to me.
Depends on the charity. Some have zero overheads.It only takes one person, to teach one person, to reach one person, to help them along. By making this chain you're paying it forward.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=V7c0gTDGitI
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=V7c0gTDGitI
The principle is lovely, but it seems to be a big thing amongst the chavs at the moment, who gleefully rush to post it up on the local 'Spotted' town Facebook page about how someone in front of them in the drive through queue at MacDonalds paid for their MacPlastic burger.
Can't help but wonder whether there are worthier causes than someone able to afford a car and takeaway food, but it does seem to make them very happy.
Actually thanking people on Facebook seems to be The Thing lately. Not a day goes by without someone posting about how their 'bairn' was having a meltdown in Poundland and huge thanks to the lady who asked if she was alright.
Quite why these people never seem to be able to just thank the good samaritan in person at the time has never been explained.
Can't help but wonder whether there are worthier causes than someone able to afford a car and takeaway food, but it does seem to make them very happy.
Actually thanking people on Facebook seems to be The Thing lately. Not a day goes by without someone posting about how their 'bairn' was having a meltdown in Poundland and huge thanks to the lady who asked if she was alright.
Quite why these people never seem to be able to just thank the good samaritan in person at the time has never been explained.
Yep, I was gifted a really good quality fridge freezer off pistonheads, about 18 months ago. Nothing asked for in return. Still working for us.
We moved house a few weeks ago & found the washing machine & two TV's had been left for us,with a "keep or sell" note. Normally I'd have flogged them, but remenbering the kindness of a pistonheads member I offered them out for free, only asking those who collected passed it on one day. I figure one chap helped me out, I helped 3 others out. Hopefully it keeps going.
We moved house a few weeks ago & found the washing machine & two TV's had been left for us,with a "keep or sell" note. Normally I'd have flogged them, but remenbering the kindness of a pistonheads member I offered them out for free, only asking those who collected passed it on one day. I figure one chap helped me out, I helped 3 others out. Hopefully it keeps going.
I was in a supermarket behind a woman and young-is daughter - maybe 8 or 9. She was clearly trying very carefully to budget some money for what i'm guessing was the kids birthday party, but was checking, checking and triple check the cost of every item. The child was asking if she could have those sweets or that type of crips as mum was saying yes but with a look of discomfort.
End up being behind them in the checkout queue - mum pulls out £50 and gets visibly upset that it gets totalled up - £50-something quid. Asks the child which bits she would be ok putting back so I just paid for the lot.
If it was a woman or man on their own, or whatever, then tough luck, i've been there myself. But the thought of the kid not being able to get something they wanted for their party, and it was a discount supermarket so not exactly Waitrose or whatever.. heart breaking.
I was with the good lady wife and swore her to secrecy as I think it would have been crass to go plastering it on social media (kind of like now, albeit it was about half a decade ago). She did however reward me with a VERY good time in the bedroom as I was such a gent, which was well worth the £50!!
End up being behind them in the checkout queue - mum pulls out £50 and gets visibly upset that it gets totalled up - £50-something quid. Asks the child which bits she would be ok putting back so I just paid for the lot.
If it was a woman or man on their own, or whatever, then tough luck, i've been there myself. But the thought of the kid not being able to get something they wanted for their party, and it was a discount supermarket so not exactly Waitrose or whatever.. heart breaking.
I was with the good lady wife and swore her to secrecy as I think it would have been crass to go plastering it on social media (kind of like now, albeit it was about half a decade ago). She did however reward me with a VERY good time in the bedroom as I was such a gent, which was well worth the £50!!
When I was working away before covid most lunchtimes I would by homeless people lunch when I picked mine up. Tended to be a few regular people I saw. They were grateful.
It has backfired though. In New York a few years ago I bought a couple of homeless guys a load of McDonald’s food. They were counting out pennies at the counter for a single burger each and I told them to order whatever they wanted. It came to about $30ish for them.
They thanked me and left with their bag of food.
I walked outside with my order and they were throwing it at each other and then started throwing it at me.
It has backfired though. In New York a few years ago I bought a couple of homeless guys a load of McDonald’s food. They were counting out pennies at the counter for a single burger each and I told them to order whatever they wanted. It came to about $30ish for them.
They thanked me and left with their bag of food.
I walked outside with my order and they were throwing it at each other and then started throwing it at me.
I was at the Starbucks drive through a couple of months back. Getting a $2 thing my daughter likes to eat as an occasional treat.
When I got to the window, the lady (who I have seen a bunch of times) told me the car in front had already paid. I understand the done thing to do is to then pay for the car behind you, so I gamely said - I'll get theirs. She just looked at me and shook her head and said "you don't wanna do that". Turns out it was an $80-somthing order.
Next time I went through, I did it instead.
When I got to the window, the lady (who I have seen a bunch of times) told me the car in front had already paid. I understand the done thing to do is to then pay for the car behind you, so I gamely said - I'll get theirs. She just looked at me and shook her head and said "you don't wanna do that". Turns out it was an $80-somthing order.
Next time I went through, I did it instead.
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