Kindness of strangers
Discussion
Earlier today whilst on an emotional journey to drop (adult) child no. 2 at Bath Uni Waze sent me down a tiny road (in my stupid American wide Tesla Model S) to a toll bridge in Batheaston.
A £1 toll. I had no change. A white van went past me as I hesitated, I shouted through the open window “do they take cards?”. “Don’t worry I have cash I will pay for you” was the response.
30 seconds later the guy with a bucket came up to the van. Despite him also having a contactless machine on his waist the guy in the van paid for my crossing.
Wow.
AY70XNK I salute you and thank you.
Anyone unexpectedly helped you out today?
A £1 toll. I had no change. A white van went past me as I hesitated, I shouted through the open window “do they take cards?”. “Don’t worry I have cash I will pay for you” was the response.
30 seconds later the guy with a bucket came up to the van. Despite him also having a contactless machine on his waist the guy in the van paid for my crossing.
Wow.
AY70XNK I salute you and thank you.
Anyone unexpectedly helped you out today?
ReformedPistonhead said:
Earlier today whilst on an emotional journey to drop (adult) child no. 2 at Bath Uni Waze sent me down a tiny road (in my stupid American wide Tesla Model S) to a toll bridge in Batheaston.
A £1 toll. I had no change. A white van went past me as I hesitated, I shouted through the open window “do they take cards?”. “Don’t worry I have cash I will pay for you” was the response.
30 seconds later the guy with a bucket came up to the van. Despite him also having a contactless machine on his waist the guy in the van paid for my crossing.
Wow.
AY70XNK I salute you and thank you.
Anyone unexpectedly helped you out today?
Not today, but a few months ago I parked the car in an meter zone that was actually offline, but not everyone would have known that. I returned to to car to find that someone had put a two-hour ticket under my windscreen wiper.A £1 toll. I had no change. A white van went past me as I hesitated, I shouted through the open window “do they take cards?”. “Don’t worry I have cash I will pay for you” was the response.
30 seconds later the guy with a bucket came up to the van. Despite him also having a contactless machine on his waist the guy in the van paid for my crossing.
Wow.
AY70XNK I salute you and thank you.
Anyone unexpectedly helped you out today?
Not today but a few days ago in a car park in Lyme Regis.
3 machines for Pay and Display, one was out of order, another had a card reader that didn't work and the third only took cash which we didn't have!
Tried to download the App to pay but there was no internet connection.
Asked someone if they had change for a fiver but they didn't - but gave us two pounds coins which was enough so thanks to that guy.
3 machines for Pay and Display, one was out of order, another had a card reader that didn't work and the third only took cash which we didn't have!
Tried to download the App to pay but there was no internet connection.
Asked someone if they had change for a fiver but they didn't - but gave us two pounds coins which was enough so thanks to that guy.
Few months ago sat in Costa and a couple of young lads come in looked about 12.
They were stood at the front of the queue but could only afford 1 drinking chocolate between them then they wanted marsh mellows but couldn’t afford that as well….
Few people behind them tutting so I walked up to the girl on the till and bought them both a chocolate with marshmallows and cream
Couple of really nice kids with proper manners.
I’m suppose I’ve done a lot of random things helping strangers out over the years usually very spontaneous.
They were stood at the front of the queue but could only afford 1 drinking chocolate between them then they wanted marsh mellows but couldn’t afford that as well….
Few people behind them tutting so I walked up to the girl on the till and bought them both a chocolate with marshmallows and cream
Couple of really nice kids with proper manners.
I’m suppose I’ve done a lot of random things helping strangers out over the years usually very spontaneous.
Narcisus said:
Few months ago sat in Costa and a couple of young lads come in looked about 12.
They were stood at the front of the queue but could only afford 1 drinking chocolate between them then they wanted marsh mellows but couldn’t afford that as well….
Few people behind them tutting so I walked up to the girl on the till and bought them both a chocolate with marshmallows and cream
Couple of really nice kids with proper manners.
I’m suppose I’ve done a lot of random things helping strangers out over the years usually very spontaneous.
User name checks out. They were stood at the front of the queue but could only afford 1 drinking chocolate between them then they wanted marsh mellows but couldn’t afford that as well….
Few people behind them tutting so I walked up to the girl on the till and bought them both a chocolate with marshmallows and cream
Couple of really nice kids with proper manners.
I’m suppose I’ve done a lot of random things helping strangers out over the years usually very spontaneous.
The first time I had an Impreza, I thought "wooooooo, rally car, let's go offroading!!!"
Was 100% showing off to my mates in the car.
As you'd expect, I f
ked up within a few minutes and had got the car pretty stuck. With my, then, 4 minutes experience of "rally" driving, I had no idea what to do.
Got out of the car to have a smoke, a thinly veiled attempt to hide my "oh st, i've made a horlicks of this"
A couple of lads in a 4x4, I forget which one, stopped and said "you look stuck, you want back on the road?"
Before I'd finished saying "yes please" they had the tow rope on, pulled the car back to the road, laughed and said "keep it on the tarmac!" and vmaxed off down the road I'd got stuck on.
A few hours later when I was in the pub with my mates, I asked if it was that obvious that I'd fked up. They happily responded that they'd never seen my bottom lip that big since I was a kid.
I still owe those 4x4 guys a couple of beers.
edit: the Subaru was fine, by the way. A slightly scuffed underneath of the front bumper but nothing untoward.
Was 100% showing off to my mates in the car.
As you'd expect, I f
ked up within a few minutes and had got the car pretty stuck. With my, then, 4 minutes experience of "rally" driving, I had no idea what to do.Got out of the car to have a smoke, a thinly veiled attempt to hide my "oh s
t, i've made a horlicks of this"A couple of lads in a 4x4, I forget which one, stopped and said "you look stuck, you want back on the road?"
Before I'd finished saying "yes please" they had the tow rope on, pulled the car back to the road, laughed and said "keep it on the tarmac!" and vmaxed off down the road I'd got stuck on.
A few hours later when I was in the pub with my mates, I asked if it was that obvious that I'd f
ked up. They happily responded that they'd never seen my bottom lip that big since I was a kid.I still owe those 4x4 guys a couple of beers.
edit: the Subaru was fine, by the way. A slightly scuffed underneath of the front bumper but nothing untoward.
Whilst away on business I lost my wallet, about £100 in cash, cards etc.
The next day, an envelope came through the door with my wallet, everything intact.
If I come across someone in genuine trouble, I try to help. So car broken down, run out of fuel, need help changing wheel etc but if I'm honest it's because it makes me feel good about myself.
The cost is a bit of time, maybe a few quid. It's worth it for that feeling of having done something good.
The next day, an envelope came through the door with my wallet, everything intact.
If I come across someone in genuine trouble, I try to help. So car broken down, run out of fuel, need help changing wheel etc but if I'm honest it's because it makes me feel good about myself.
The cost is a bit of time, maybe a few quid. It's worth it for that feeling of having done something good.
About 15 years ago, after a long flight to Orlando or Tampa, can't remember which, I got changed in the airport toilets. I managed to leave my wallet with a lot of the holiday spending money in there, about 1500 dollars and didn't realise for about 10 minutes. Panicked I went to the nearest security guard to report it and someone had already handed it into him, with all money and cards still present! Couldn't believe my luck. Thank you to whoever did that!
A nice, positive, upbeat thread this one! 
A couple of weeks ago, I had a puncture on my motorbike which as a novice rider, was a new experience to me, due to which, I ended up over the handlebars culminating in bent bars, a smashed cockpit, broken big toe and dented pride. On immediate high speed contact with the ground (about 9 mph!
) two separate gentleman motorists enquired of my welfare, helped me push my bike from the roadside and offered to take me to hospital for a check up. I kindly declined and began the long push to a local garage. En route, a passing biker also stopped and offered his assistance and advice ("try stopping when you get a wobble on").
During the aforementioned conversation a painter and decorator and his lad also came across from a job they were working on and subsequently emptied their van, loaded up my bike and brought me home (5 miles away).
He refused any payment until I gave him a donation to his sons school; he'd informed me his son had ASD (autistic spectrum disorder and ADHD) so he couldn't refuse!
I was truly heartened and gladdened that good will still does exist in this big bad world!
A couple of weeks ago, I had a puncture on my motorbike which as a novice rider, was a new experience to me, due to which, I ended up over the handlebars culminating in bent bars, a smashed cockpit, broken big toe and dented pride. On immediate high speed contact with the ground (about 9 mph!
) two separate gentleman motorists enquired of my welfare, helped me push my bike from the roadside and offered to take me to hospital for a check up. I kindly declined and began the long push to a local garage. En route, a passing biker also stopped and offered his assistance and advice ("try stopping when you get a wobble on").During the aforementioned conversation a painter and decorator and his lad also came across from a job they were working on and subsequently emptied their van, loaded up my bike and brought me home (5 miles away).
He refused any payment until I gave him a donation to his sons school; he'd informed me his son had ASD (autistic spectrum disorder and ADHD) so he couldn't refuse!
I was truly heartened and gladdened that good will still does exist in this big bad world!
It was about 30 years ago that I set off from Maidenhead to head to a Harley rally up North. The bike was fairly modified, I hadn't had it that long and this was its first big run. On the M6, all was going OK until I hit the heavy traffic around Birmingham. I was in the outside lane when all three lanes came to a halt. As I downshifted, the bike started stuttering then cut out completely. As I was coasting to a halt the traffic started moving again. I was crapping myself, traffic building up behind me and two lanes of now moving traffic to the left of me. Stabbing desperately at the starter it would turn over but not start.
Then I heard the beep of a horn in the middle lane and a dark blue BMW 5 series with 4 burly blokes in it slowed down, put his hazards on and gestured for me to cross in front of him to the hard shoulder. I jumped off the bike and pushed it across as he followed behind me across both lanes.
He pulled in behind me and my first thought was it was the cops but it wasn't - it was four businessmen off to some conference. They stayed with me shielding me on the narrow hard shoulder until I fixed the problem and got it running (it was a sticky float in the SU carb).
The rest of the journey was uneventful thankfully - that unselfish gesture of kindness, putting themselves at some degree of risk for a hairy biker on a custom bike on a busy M6 has stayed with me, and I try and reciprocate if I see someone in trouble.
Then I heard the beep of a horn in the middle lane and a dark blue BMW 5 series with 4 burly blokes in it slowed down, put his hazards on and gestured for me to cross in front of him to the hard shoulder. I jumped off the bike and pushed it across as he followed behind me across both lanes.
He pulled in behind me and my first thought was it was the cops but it wasn't - it was four businessmen off to some conference. They stayed with me shielding me on the narrow hard shoulder until I fixed the problem and got it running (it was a sticky float in the SU carb).
The rest of the journey was uneventful thankfully - that unselfish gesture of kindness, putting themselves at some degree of risk for a hairy biker on a custom bike on a busy M6 has stayed with me, and I try and reciprocate if I see someone in trouble.
I have lost my wallet a couple of times over the years. On both occasions returned to me unmolested by strangers who found it and emailed me via the address on my cards in the wallet.
I always try and help someone who is lost or looks like they need a hand.
It is also a standing joke in our family that I will get asked for directions when we are on the tube. Esp in holiday season. I must look like an odd duty tube driver;)
I always try and help someone who is lost or looks like they need a hand.
It is also a standing joke in our family that I will get asked for directions when we are on the tube. Esp in holiday season. I must look like an odd duty tube driver;)
Not car related but extraordinary kindness…
Some 15 years ago I took my then 6 year old son to see a shuttle launch. I’d arranged a few weeks in Florida as quite normal for the launch to be delayed but it went up on time (an amazing experience) so we headed over to Disneyworld. One evening I felt something was wrong and within hours was in an ambulance heading to hospital where I slipped into a coma with what turned out to be meningitis.
At times like these, you really are at the mercy of strangers, and an amazing nurse at the hospital took my son in and looked after him wonderfully kindly until my wife arrived. I remain to this day so grateful for her being there. She wouldn’t accept anything by way of a thank you, insisting it was a joy to have him stay.
Worth adding that the Disney company we’re incredible too. When my wife arrived, Disney gave her and my son a free hotel room and park passes until I was able to leave hospital, and then all of us continued accommodation until I was able to travel home. No question of insurance or anything, they all just looked after us like family, it was truly amazing. When I thanked them on leaving the manager just said they just really wanted to make sure my son still had a happy time at Disney. Can’t praise them enough.
Some 15 years ago I took my then 6 year old son to see a shuttle launch. I’d arranged a few weeks in Florida as quite normal for the launch to be delayed but it went up on time (an amazing experience) so we headed over to Disneyworld. One evening I felt something was wrong and within hours was in an ambulance heading to hospital where I slipped into a coma with what turned out to be meningitis.
At times like these, you really are at the mercy of strangers, and an amazing nurse at the hospital took my son in and looked after him wonderfully kindly until my wife arrived. I remain to this day so grateful for her being there. She wouldn’t accept anything by way of a thank you, insisting it was a joy to have him stay.
Worth adding that the Disney company we’re incredible too. When my wife arrived, Disney gave her and my son a free hotel room and park passes until I was able to leave hospital, and then all of us continued accommodation until I was able to travel home. No question of insurance or anything, they all just looked after us like family, it was truly amazing. When I thanked them on leaving the manager just said they just really wanted to make sure my son still had a happy time at Disney. Can’t praise them enough.
I was in Amsterdam for a lads holiday a few years back.
Out, drinking as you do. Went to pay for Pizza.... wallet gone.
Had been pickpocketed. 1st night! Everyrhing. Credit card, bank card, license, cash - gone.
Mates had to float me the rest of the trip.
Back home I letter came through the post. It was my wallet. Complete with cards and license and a little note from a security guard saying that he saw it happen and followed them to to where they dump their loot, retrieved it and sent it back.
I was shell shocked for about a week at how selfless that was, no way of getting in touch with him or anything.
Out, drinking as you do. Went to pay for Pizza.... wallet gone.
Had been pickpocketed. 1st night! Everyrhing. Credit card, bank card, license, cash - gone.
Mates had to float me the rest of the trip.
Back home I letter came through the post. It was my wallet. Complete with cards and license and a little note from a security guard saying that he saw it happen and followed them to to where they dump their loot, retrieved it and sent it back.
I was shell shocked for about a week at how selfless that was, no way of getting in touch with him or anything.
On my way to a car show, following a random Mercedes when it's rear wheel departed into the nearest field in quite spectacular fashion. The driver was a lady on her own so I couldn't leave her to it. Managed to fit the spare using the toolkit from my car and got her mobile again.
She took me out for coffee and cake which was nice.
She took me out for coffee and cake which was nice.
LarJammer said:
On my way to a car show, following a random Mercedes when it's rear wheel departed into the nearest field in quite spectacular fashion. The driver was a lady on her own so I couldn't leave her to it. Managed to fit the spare using the toolkit from my car and got her mobile again.
She took me out for coffee and cake which was nice.
This didn't happen did it.She took me out for coffee and cake which was nice.
For the wheel to come off either all the nuts had to be missing....in which case how did you fix the spare on with no nuts OR something had broken terminally on the hub which you wouldn't have been able to fix.
Besides if a wheel had come off the car would have been damaged and possibly caused an accident as she lost control of her 3 wheeler
We’re at my cousins once, he lived on a cul de sac and rarely anyone passed who didn’t live there.
This bloke stumbles down absolutely hammered and starts talking to us, had split with his wife, got on a plane, gone somewhere (didn’t know where) and had just flown back and had nowhere to go, he had called and was a little beat up.
He had wads of cash on him which he was trying to give us, we were maybe 19 ish.
Didnt take a penny, got him a drink and as he got a bit more sober we drove him to a hotel, explained and checked him in, paid up front with his cash and left.
Not saying look how awesome we are but I know if I had taken a single quid I would still be thinking about it now and hating myself for it. We were tempted as we rarely had any cash but having been brought up properly, we knew it wasn’t an option.
Don’t know what happened after that but hope he got things sorted.
This bloke stumbles down absolutely hammered and starts talking to us, had split with his wife, got on a plane, gone somewhere (didn’t know where) and had just flown back and had nowhere to go, he had called and was a little beat up.
He had wads of cash on him which he was trying to give us, we were maybe 19 ish.
Didnt take a penny, got him a drink and as he got a bit more sober we drove him to a hotel, explained and checked him in, paid up front with his cash and left.
Not saying look how awesome we are but I know if I had taken a single quid I would still be thinking about it now and hating myself for it. We were tempted as we rarely had any cash but having been brought up properly, we knew it wasn’t an option.
Don’t know what happened after that but hope he got things sorted.
V8covin said:
This didn't happen did it.
For the wheel to come off either all the nuts had to be missing....in which case how did you fix the spare on with no nuts OR something had broken terminally on the hub which you wouldn't have been able to fix.
Easy - you take one of the nuts/bolts from each of the other three wheels so they each have 3 nuts/bolts holding them on. It's enough to get you going.For the wheel to come off either all the nuts had to be missing....in which case how did you fix the spare on with no nuts OR something had broken terminally on the hub which you wouldn't have been able to fix.
67Dino said:
Not car related but extraordinary kindness…
Some 15 years ago I took my then 6 year old son to see a shuttle launch. I’d arranged a few weeks in Florida as quite normal for the launch to be delayed but it went up on time (an amazing experience) so we headed over to Disneyworld. One evening I felt something was wrong and within hours was in an ambulance heading to hospital where I slipped into a coma with what turned out to be meningitis.
At times like these, you really are at the mercy of strangers, and an amazing nurse at the hospital took my son in and looked after him wonderfully kindly until my wife arrived. I remain to this day so grateful for her being there. She wouldn’t accept anything by way of a thank you, insisting it was a joy to have him stay.
Worth adding that the Disney company we’re incredible too. When my wife arrived, Disney gave her and my son a free hotel room and park passes until I was able to leave hospital, and then all of us continued accommodation until I was able to travel home. No question of insurance or anything, they all just looked after us like family, it was truly amazing. When I thanked them on leaving the manager just said they just really wanted to make sure my son still had a happy time at Disney. Can’t praise them enough.
That's a heartwarming experience, genuine kindness from that nurse and well done Disney too!Some 15 years ago I took my then 6 year old son to see a shuttle launch. I’d arranged a few weeks in Florida as quite normal for the launch to be delayed but it went up on time (an amazing experience) so we headed over to Disneyworld. One evening I felt something was wrong and within hours was in an ambulance heading to hospital where I slipped into a coma with what turned out to be meningitis.
At times like these, you really are at the mercy of strangers, and an amazing nurse at the hospital took my son in and looked after him wonderfully kindly until my wife arrived. I remain to this day so grateful for her being there. She wouldn’t accept anything by way of a thank you, insisting it was a joy to have him stay.
Worth adding that the Disney company we’re incredible too. When my wife arrived, Disney gave her and my son a free hotel room and park passes until I was able to leave hospital, and then all of us continued accommodation until I was able to travel home. No question of insurance or anything, they all just looked after us like family, it was truly amazing. When I thanked them on leaving the manager just said they just really wanted to make sure my son still had a happy time at Disney. Can’t praise them enough.
Gassing Station | The Lounge | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff