Insignificantly trivial but nice moments with strangers
Discussion
It's all too easy to think the whole world is falling apart at the edges.. but quite often it's the little things that make you smile!
I was in the doctors waiting room with my young niece and saw a kids area in the corner with some toys and sets of alphabet bricks.
We head over and spell out the alphabet and I congratulate her on being a clever girl etc.
She then moves onto other toys and I noticed there were more than 26 letters knocking about, so couldn’t help but spell out ‘amazingly few discotheques provide jukeboxes’ on the magnetic wall for a bit of pangram mild self-amusement to use all the letters at least once.
Nobody notices, just something to do whilst she rummages around the toys.
We then go into the appointment and out again 30mins later. We need to head back to the waiting room as I realise I’ve left her gloves there in the kids area.
Found them and couldn’t help notice the letters now spell out ‘pack my box with five dozen liquor jugs‘.
I couldn’t help but glance round at the waiting room ensemble with a wry smile thinking "well somebody in this room knows pangrams as well".
Nobody is looking up, no other kids in there now, just people silently reading magazines or looking at their phones.
Except an older chap, maybe 60ish, catches my eye as we're walking out to leave.
He glances over the top of his paper, nods discreetly and winks.
I nodded back with a grin and we did a little fist bump as I was walking past him to the exit.
I have no idea why this small encounter is so pleasing to me, but it is
You got any to share?
I was in the doctors waiting room with my young niece and saw a kids area in the corner with some toys and sets of alphabet bricks.
We head over and spell out the alphabet and I congratulate her on being a clever girl etc.
She then moves onto other toys and I noticed there were more than 26 letters knocking about, so couldn’t help but spell out ‘amazingly few discotheques provide jukeboxes’ on the magnetic wall for a bit of pangram mild self-amusement to use all the letters at least once.
Nobody notices, just something to do whilst she rummages around the toys.
We then go into the appointment and out again 30mins later. We need to head back to the waiting room as I realise I’ve left her gloves there in the kids area.
Found them and couldn’t help notice the letters now spell out ‘pack my box with five dozen liquor jugs‘.
I couldn’t help but glance round at the waiting room ensemble with a wry smile thinking "well somebody in this room knows pangrams as well".
Nobody is looking up, no other kids in there now, just people silently reading magazines or looking at their phones.
Except an older chap, maybe 60ish, catches my eye as we're walking out to leave.
He glances over the top of his paper, nods discreetly and winks.
I nodded back with a grin and we did a little fist bump as I was walking past him to the exit.
I have no idea why this small encounter is so pleasing to me, but it is
You got any to share?
As a teenager, wading through a couple of hundred metres of a flooded road to collect my sister from the other side as the school bus could come no further, I got chatting to an older chap who was doing the same as me but to collect his daughter. Transpired that he was ex Army, had served in the Queen's Regiment and that my Classics and CCF teacher had been his first platoon commander years previously. A seemingly trivial encounter, but it taught me that everyone has a link to everyone else, and if you make a good impression upon people, they will talk highly of you for years to come.
Pulled up at a Services last week to nip in to buy a loaf of bread.
Got out of the car and went to walk forward but realized that my wing mirror and the neighbouring van mirror were blocking my way.
Locked my car so the mirror folded in but it was still too tight.
Turned to walk around the van only to see its driver laughing.
With a smile, I patted my belly to confirm I'm a fat B.
Got out of the car and went to walk forward but realized that my wing mirror and the neighbouring van mirror were blocking my way.
Locked my car so the mirror folded in but it was still too tight.
Turned to walk around the van only to see its driver laughing.
With a smile, I patted my belly to confirm I'm a fat B.
100% OP. The media sells us nothing but divisiveness and disagreement.
Some random heart-warming connection with a fellow member of the human race is life-affirming. If we all tried it more often, the world would be a better place.
I've not much to offer other than the first thing that comes to mind : a customer making a camp comment in the summer about going home to change into his green mankini, and me warning him to watch those tan-lines. All innocent enough but it gave us both a chuckle.
Some random heart-warming connection with a fellow member of the human race is life-affirming. If we all tried it more often, the world would be a better place.
I've not much to offer other than the first thing that comes to mind : a customer making a camp comment in the summer about going home to change into his green mankini, and me warning him to watch those tan-lines. All innocent enough but it gave us both a chuckle.
I remember a few years ago getting off the train near home, and then having to stand and wait for the bus as it’s almost a 2 miles walk. I’d had yet another crappy day at work, for a company I hated, I was once more at least an hour late going home, and the weather was dreadful - torrential rain and pitch black. There’s no shelter at the station, at least not where you can see the bus come in - and you don’t want to miss it as it was highly variable in punctuality and only came every 30 minutes anyway.
There were four or five us us stood waiting but I was the only one without an umbrella, and was feeling miserable for several reasons, staring at the floor as the water ran down my head and neck. Then a youngish woman with a large umbrella suddenly moved to be right beside me, and without saying a word, held her umbrella across both of us. A small gesture, but I could have cried. Never seen her before or since but for the few minutes until the bus arrived I felt part of humanity again.
There were four or five us us stood waiting but I was the only one without an umbrella, and was feeling miserable for several reasons, staring at the floor as the water ran down my head and neck. Then a youngish woman with a large umbrella suddenly moved to be right beside me, and without saying a word, held her umbrella across both of us. A small gesture, but I could have cried. Never seen her before or since but for the few minutes until the bus arrived I felt part of humanity again.
A woman spilt the contents of her trolley in Sainsbury's car park today. Five full bags, yoghurt, eggs etc all over the concrete. I turned to see what the crashing noise was and to my shame hesitated before going over and offering some assistance. Ended up righting the trolley (surprisingly heavy) and putting most of the stuff back in the bags for her and getting yoghurt all over my jacket. Walked back to my car and got the nicest smile from a lady driving out. Made my day.
A few years ago I was sitting in a grotty waiting area in A&E having had a call that my O/H had been blue lighted in after collapsing at work. I'd seen her briefly from a distance and then been shown where to wait and told, "We'll keep you updated..."
20 minutes became half an hour by which time I was thinking all sorts of things and fearing the worst. A couple came in and sat opposite, talking to each other. After a couple of minutes the woman glanced across at me, got up and walked over saying, "You look like you need a hug." and wrapped her arms round me.
I muttered an embarrassed, "Thank you." and soon afterwards was called in to see my O/H. I looked at the couple and forced a smile, they both smiled back and gave me an encouraging nod.
O/H had previously had a transient ischaemic attack (mini stroke) that triggered epilepsy and had now had a massive seizure. She spent several days 'zonked' in intensive care with me going in at all hours of the day or night to sit by her bed, hold her unresponsive hand and wait; there was nothing else I could do.
Fast forward to today and she's sitting next to me, groaning and feeling sorry for herself after a visit to the dentist this morning and naturally I'm being very sympathetic...
I now do volunteer work for that hospital but I've never been able to say 'thanks for the hug' to a very kind and compassionate stranger.
20 minutes became half an hour by which time I was thinking all sorts of things and fearing the worst. A couple came in and sat opposite, talking to each other. After a couple of minutes the woman glanced across at me, got up and walked over saying, "You look like you need a hug." and wrapped her arms round me.
I muttered an embarrassed, "Thank you." and soon afterwards was called in to see my O/H. I looked at the couple and forced a smile, they both smiled back and gave me an encouraging nod.
O/H had previously had a transient ischaemic attack (mini stroke) that triggered epilepsy and had now had a massive seizure. She spent several days 'zonked' in intensive care with me going in at all hours of the day or night to sit by her bed, hold her unresponsive hand and wait; there was nothing else I could do.
Fast forward to today and she's sitting next to me, groaning and feeling sorry for herself after a visit to the dentist this morning and naturally I'm being very sympathetic...
I now do volunteer work for that hospital but I've never been able to say 'thanks for the hug' to a very kind and compassionate stranger.
I was in Cemaes Bay whilst on holiday last week and was bursting for a pee whilst we were walking up the the main road through the village. I spotted some public toilets, so I told my other half I’d catch up with her but as soon as I walked into the gents, I realised you had to pay 20p to get in. I came back out rather disappointed as I had no change on me and quickly caught up with my other half to ask her if she had any change - which she didn’t (apart from a 50p piece which the machine wouldn’t take). Unbeknown to me, an older (for want of a better description) couple were walking along the opposite side of the street and had obviously heard/seen my plight. The gentleman shouted over and asked how much I needed. I offered him the 50p in exchange for his 20p but he told me not to be so daft and exclaimed ‘I don’t want anything, if you’ve got to go, you’ve got to go’.
There are some good people left out there.
There are some good people left out there.
Was in a branch of Lush buying gift vouchers for Xmas a couple of years back.
Rather than the usual Xmas soundtrack, (Slade/Wham/Shakey/Mariah Scarey etc) they appeared to have on an Neil Diamond Greatest Hits compilation.
As I was paying, the female cashier asked her male colleague, 'is that Love On The Rocks?'
He said he thought it was, and I nodded & confirmed that it was indeed LOTR (not a favourite tune or artist of mine TBH).
For reasons that I've never fathomed, I then added that 'Love On The Rocks must chafe a bit'....
They both burst out laughing & thanked me for giving them some entertainment for the first time that week. We wished each other a Happy Xmas & I went on my merry way
It occured to me then that if you can at make at least one person laugh or smile, then the day hasn't been a complete waste of time.
Rather than the usual Xmas soundtrack, (Slade/Wham/Shakey/Mariah Scarey etc) they appeared to have on an Neil Diamond Greatest Hits compilation.
As I was paying, the female cashier asked her male colleague, 'is that Love On The Rocks?'
He said he thought it was, and I nodded & confirmed that it was indeed LOTR (not a favourite tune or artist of mine TBH).
For reasons that I've never fathomed, I then added that 'Love On The Rocks must chafe a bit'....
They both burst out laughing & thanked me for giving them some entertainment for the first time that week. We wished each other a Happy Xmas & I went on my merry way
It occured to me then that if you can at make at least one person laugh or smile, then the day hasn't been a complete waste of time.
I was driving through a dingy part of London at the weekend with my son in the car beside me. I’d just picked him up after a school football match. Now I’m usually on a heightened state of alert when I’m in my weekend car in dodgier parts of town. There were a few cases of attempted car-jackings and watch/phone thefts from drivers before the pandemic hit these shores, usually by kids on scooters. Anyway, I was suddenly aware of a motorbike pulling close up on my side of the car while waiting for the lights to change. He started shouting something to me and I wound my window down carefully. With a massive friendly smile on his face he yelled through his helmet that he loved my car, asking if he could hear it revving. I happily obliged him and he happily revved the nuts off his Fireblade in return. My son loved it! It left me annoyed initially with myself for expecting the worst but that brief interaction left me happier for the rest of the day.
I remember once getting into an aeroplane in Seattle for a flight back to London. I happened to get talking to the elderly chap in the seat next to mine. He'd been sailing and canoeing in Puget Sound for a couple of weeks. One thing led to another and we established that he had known my father in the 1970s when they were both members of the same yacht club. We spent most of the flight chatting about sailing and people and places we both knew
A few years ago we had a day out at Blackpool. We needed to head home early in the afternoon and had quite a few unused pre-paid amustment tickets/vouchers left over. I saw a family that, without wanting to sound like a judgemental a
hole, appeared not to have a pot to piss in. And unlike most of the people surrounding us, not that it's linked to appearances whatsoever, were evidently looking out for their kids.
I offered them the unused amusement vouchers explaining we had to head home and didn't have time to use them and they were welcome to use them.
The gratitude and beaming smiles were unreal. I've never seen somebody so made up.
hole, appeared not to have a pot to piss in. And unlike most of the people surrounding us, not that it's linked to appearances whatsoever, were evidently looking out for their kids.I offered them the unused amusement vouchers explaining we had to head home and didn't have time to use them and they were welcome to use them.
The gratitude and beaming smiles were unreal. I've never seen somebody so made up.
I was in a park a couple of weeks ago with my 2 year old son and there was a model railway.
£1 a ride so we jumped on ... I reached for my wallet as the attendant came along for payment and realised I didn't have it!!
I had just started to explain to my son that we'd have to get off and go back to the car and a chap sat behind us reached forward and offered to pay. I was so grateful, truly a kind offer that warms the heart!
£1 a ride so we jumped on ... I reached for my wallet as the attendant came along for payment and realised I didn't have it!!
I had just started to explain to my son that we'd have to get off and go back to the car and a chap sat behind us reached forward and offered to pay. I was so grateful, truly a kind offer that warms the heart!
mikey_b said:
I remember a few years ago getting off the train near home, and then having to stand and wait for the bus as it’s almost a 2 miles walk. I’d had yet another crappy day at work, for a company I hated, I was once more at least an hour late going home, and the weather was dreadful - torrential rain and pitch black. There’s no shelter at the station, at least not where you can see the bus come in - and you don’t want to miss it as it was highly variable in punctuality and only came every 30 minutes anyway.
There were four or five us us stood waiting but I was the only one without an umbrella, and was feeling miserable for several reasons, staring at the floor as the water ran down my head and neck. Then a youngish woman with a large umbrella suddenly moved to be right beside me, and without saying a word, held her umbrella across both of us. A small gesture, but I could have cried. Never seen her before or since but for the few minutes until the bus arrived I felt part of humanity again.
Heartwarming There were four or five us us stood waiting but I was the only one without an umbrella, and was feeling miserable for several reasons, staring at the floor as the water ran down my head and neck. Then a youngish woman with a large umbrella suddenly moved to be right beside me, and without saying a word, held her umbrella across both of us. A small gesture, but I could have cried. Never seen her before or since but for the few minutes until the bus arrived I felt part of humanity again.
mikey_b said:
I remember a few years ago getting off the train near home, and then having to stand and wait for the bus as it’s almost a 2 miles walk. I’d had yet another crappy day at work, for a company I hated, I was once more at least an hour late going home, and the weather was dreadful - torrential rain and pitch black. There’s no shelter at the station, at least not where you can see the bus come in - and you don’t want to miss it as it was highly variable in punctuality and only came every 30 minutes anyway.
There were four or five us us stood waiting but I was the only one without an umbrella, and was feeling miserable for several reasons, staring at the floor as the water ran down my head and neck. Then a youngish woman with a large umbrella suddenly moved to be right beside me, and without saying a word, held her umbrella across both of us. A small gesture, but I could have cried. Never seen her before or since but for the few minutes until the bus arrived I felt part of humanity again.
Are you Graham Gouldman?There were four or five us us stood waiting but I was the only one without an umbrella, and was feeling miserable for several reasons, staring at the floor as the water ran down my head and neck. Then a youngish woman with a large umbrella suddenly moved to be right beside me, and without saying a word, held her umbrella across both of us. A small gesture, but I could have cried. Never seen her before or since but for the few minutes until the bus arrived I felt part of humanity again.
Nice stories guys, there are definitely plenty of good people left out there.
Whenever I take my 3 year old daughter anywhere, people are ALWAYS so nice and chatty with her, she's chatty too, so she oftens strikes up conversations with completely random people who I'd never normally talk to, I'm thinking to myself "Please don't talk to him, please dom't talk to him" and they ALL engage with her asking her the usual questions. She often gets offered sweets and chocolate, it is heart warming.
It works both ways of course, so I do try to pay my dues as well. In the summer I happened across an old couple in my home town, the lady was on a mobility scooter and she was obviously having mechanical issues with it, the old boy was trying to sort it and was having to push her in this scooter, the brakes obviously binding as he was really struggling to move it and was already a pretty frail looking old guy. I offered my assistance, long story short, I ended up pushing this old lady to her front door (about a mile I'd guess) with the brakes on this scooter binding all the way, it wouldn't even freewheel down hill. I needed the scooter more than her by the time I'd managed to get them home
Whenever I take my 3 year old daughter anywhere, people are ALWAYS so nice and chatty with her, she's chatty too, so she oftens strikes up conversations with completely random people who I'd never normally talk to, I'm thinking to myself "Please don't talk to him, please dom't talk to him" and they ALL engage with her asking her the usual questions. She often gets offered sweets and chocolate, it is heart warming.
It works both ways of course, so I do try to pay my dues as well. In the summer I happened across an old couple in my home town, the lady was on a mobility scooter and she was obviously having mechanical issues with it, the old boy was trying to sort it and was having to push her in this scooter, the brakes obviously binding as he was really struggling to move it and was already a pretty frail looking old guy. I offered my assistance, long story short, I ended up pushing this old lady to her front door (about a mile I'd guess) with the brakes on this scooter binding all the way, it wouldn't even freewheel down hill. I needed the scooter more than her by the time I'd managed to get them home
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